Can we...for a moment...leave the 'big' picture behind?

can we get 'personal'...peeling away the media's rind?

can we 'dig' down thru the tainted 'fruit' to the 'heart' of this thing

that there be none who cannot empathize with this 'tragic' sting?   -

For I am a mother myself and I imagine...at the day's end...

when all of the 'voices' have dwindled... there comes that quiet moment

that the real issue...devoid of vengeance but full of pain... descends  -

Consider; A black teenage boy, not perfect...not bad, on a particular night

threw on a hoodie and headed for a neighborhood store...

with absolutely no thoughts of a fight  -

However, on his return path...there sat in a car

a 'watch' man full of zeal...with his eye on obtaining a 'star'  -

'Don't follow'...the man was told, but deciding to ignore

he began a pursuit which would lead to murder's door  -

There's a white man following me, the boy spoke into his cell with fright

run...!  Responded the voice from the phone! I'll not run, he answered...

I'll walk fast...the youngster's choice that fateful night -

In a matter of moments the scene escalated to hunter...and prey

the threatened boy turned, with a cunning defensive art

he took his 'stand' against this unprovoked oppress... not with a gun

but with fists...to survive a wrest he did not understand... nor start -

He fought for his life...!

the blast of the bullet filled the earth's mournful air

when it tore through his young body...

he was dead, at the scene...on the spot...no longer here -

And a mother begs; Cry with me...but for a while!

please...! I need to know you understand the 'wound' you have inflicted...

I need to know...you're sorry...you took the life of my child! -

How can you even conclude that the good deeds you've supposedly done...

can ever ease my torment...for my lost  son?! -

Spare me the rhetoric of the 'lament'...you and your legal team have spent

your words sounded rehearsed...they did not soothe!

they only 'festered'...the intent! -

Cry with me...but for a while!

oh...I beg you...please!! Put on my shoes...walk in them! How does it feel?!

I want to know you are repentant for taking the life of my child! -

I am not a person who cannot forgive...

but you claim to be right...when you know you're wrong

I admit...in this world we all come short...'if'...we live

but you 'grab at straws'  to declare your 'warp' reasoning strong! -

You have the audacity to mention my boy's size...

you...a grown man, I ask you...where was your brain?!!

how can you not see...the aggressive approach you took...

given the circumstances...'provoked' an aggressive refrain?! -

Please...put the blunt force of your righteous indignation away...

I know you don't want to go to jail...but at least...you get to live 

I am not a mean person, but you see...there's these 'things' that 'ache' ...

there are 'keepsake' memories of him...my life will never sieve-

There will be no prom pictures or a college graduation to attend...

no saved photos of joy at my son's marriage...or...

tender newborn smiles that a 'womb's' revealing...sends

with the delight of pushing a grand's carriage-

These things from him I will never savor...or know

for this hope...a golden seed...is now a mausoleum's glow -

Trayvon should not have died because of his choice of clothes...or

the color or his skin...

factors you mentioned...for they rode within -

If you pray, God will forgive I know, still I hope there will never be a day

when your actions...you  completely forget

not as a torment...but as your 'testimonial' object -

To warn others of these 'racist demons'...

which hide so well inside...

and when we least expect...they rise -

My Child is Gone...!

and you, who sent him...cannot restore him to me!

Trayvon...my child...my son..he's gone his last mile!

Come...! Please...come....

Cry with me...! Cry with me...! But...for a while!

Jam 4:9-10, Eccl; 3:1&4, 4:1

(c) jmsbell 4/25/2012