LA River

 

Open eyes

accuse attackers

a rigid finger points out

seeking justice

a 12 year old

riddled with holes

shoes missing

empty wallet

how much money could he have had

soda bottle broke nearby

as I stare at a head wound

half eaten burger clutched in the other hand

a robbery

but a child?

I held back the queasiness

ran in anger

clenching my jaw

almost as hard as his

fighting back tears

to look for those missing shoes

or kill the guys that did this

or maybe to call the cops

or maybe to hug a whore

don’t remember where I ran that day

or what I did

I just ran and did whatever it was

as the body lay still

in the shallow water

displaying shame

 

 

 10-1-2001 8:15am

 

(c)Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved

 

Street Life