Thought & Prayers

Once is an accident,

twice is a coincidence,

and three times is a pattern

but what is it called

when thousands of lives

are taken far before their time

year after year?

A tragedy? A shame? A mistake?

If it were anyone else,

it would be a crime.

And what are we supposed to do

when the ones that are sworn to

protect and serve

are only protecting and serving themselves?

Cry? Beg? Pray?

We wait for their thoughts and prayers

to require the police to stop acting

as judge, juror, and executioner.

Or maybe when we collect enough

of those thoughts and prayers

they will become powerful enough

to resurrect those lives

that have been taken far too early,

for the crime of daring to exist.