These pieces are my thoughts in response to a young man in our neighborhood being shot thirty times about a month ago.

Another One Down

Friends killing friends
With AK-47’s
Neighbors keeping their mouths closed
Because those involved are too close
If they tell
Maybe their brother will go to jail
If they don’t tell
Maybe their cousin will be the next killed
There’s no good choice
Afraid to raise their voice
They are immobilized
While inwardly traumatized
Not making a sound
Shots ring out
Another one’s down

_____________________________________________

Ignoring the Sign

The sound of gunshots reaches heaven’s ears
Traveling through endless years
Another life sacrificed before his time
Everyone still ignoring the sign
While God weeps over one life lost
How many more will it cost
This was not God’s plan
But He won’t force His hand
Letting us choose
Then when it goes wrong we accuse

While God offers light
We cling to the night
While God offers truth
We still refuse
While God offers hope
We’d rather give up
While God offers peace
We’re too proud to fall on our knees
While God offers grace
We live in disgrace
While God offers life
We choose the knife

But God keeps reaching out
While at Him we scream and shout
And His tears continue to fall
As we refuse His call
And He sees what could be
Every life He makes full of possibility
From the homeless man
To the one with a gun in his hand
Something they have to give the world
To uplift another boy or girl
A special gift
That only they can live
A dream that only they can give

But the sound of gunshots reaches heavens ears
Traveling through endless years
Another life sacrificed before his time
Everyone still ignoring the sign.