Perle Champion

the alleged shooter
captured smoking guns in hand
allegedly killed

12 injured many
a real child of 6 lay dead
at the alleged’s hand

the vision of could

should would once so clear dims

glow and aura gone

why and whither to

show me now that child’s eye view

someone put it out

I’ll take any clue

to reclaim that carelessly

lost gem from the wood

when the sun breaks through

its glimmer teases then clouds

hide my path again

naught grows now in the
garden where he once flourished
sun sears fragile blooms

drinking rain quenches
those here but not I think there
what path does he walk

now what lessons learned
did he miscue leave too soon
or we stay too long

visions gone beacon
fades to just a sad refrain
from an old sad song
echoes only for
companion no fit lover
death waits in the wings

on the races age
it’s hard not to be drawn in
hie the season’s pace

the wheel timely turns
ranting changes not a thing
summer strolls stage left

why desperate haste
at desperate enterprise
winter hurries not

I do not keep pace
with my companions hearing
different drummers

soldiers keep cadence
that civilians cannot force
spring’s early entrance

for now we gather
what we can and await sun’s
return warming soil

nurturing life when
the ice recedes and life’s wheel
turns toward spring’s rebirth