A Moment Too Late (my Inner City)

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ShadowRider
Senior Member

since 2001-07-14

Posts 1038
USA

0 posted 2002-08-07 07:37 PM

    A Moment Too Late (My Inner City)

    because of him, we all had a Summer and Spring
    or perhaps it is better to say:
    in spite of him, we had those

    the outside was in, as bullet wall wounds bled sunlight
    the yard was a dirt sty for unwhitened children
    and the kitchen was a safe-haven for   side-of-the-road appliances

    every night was long, long
    long

    In the daytime, where even Black is visible
    the shadows to hide in were smaller, known to all
    At least at night, we each had fighting chances to survive

    when the shell found my Daddy
    I wasn't surprised
    It was going to find one of us
    and the pain
       . . .
    the pain came
    a Moment Too Late

    (dedicated to Landon Wilson & his mother
     a dear friend whose father was senselessly
    killed in a drive-by shooting a few years ago)

Marsha

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-07-10

Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England

1 posted 2002-08-07 07:45 PM

Jeff darling heart this is yet again such a sensitively and brilliantly well written poem. The harsh realities of urban life in a place where life isn’t as valued as it should be. Thank you for showing the grittier and darker places there are, it can’t be easy to write like this. That you can shows what a diverse and well rounded writer you are, that you then manage to give the piece dignity and show compassion for the family of your friend proves you are more than just a writer. YOU are far above average my dear friend and this is exquisite writing.

Tell Batman Krissy, Emmabear and I all send him a kiss, tell Dulcie her writing is exquisite and we all love her to death, as we do you xxxx Take care my friend, this is super special

Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy

Breathe through the heat of our desire
Thy coolness and they balm
Let sense be dumb let flesh retire
Speak through the earthquake wind and fire

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

2 posted 2002-08-07 07:47 PM

(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Jeff, I'm so sorry to hear this, I too join you in sympathies to your dear friend Landon's family in his dad's loss, it can be so very hard to deal with unexpected losses I know! (BIG HUGGGSSSSSS) My heart goes out to all of you, sweet friend, God Bless You, we all love you so much and I a here if you ever need someone to talk to, for you will always be a friend in me! Youn have such a beautiful heart, sweet Jeff, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

[This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (08-07-2002 07:48 PM).]

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

3 posted 2002-08-07 07:50 PM

*speechless*

ShadowRider
Senior Member

since 2001-07-14

Posts 1038
USA

4 posted 2002-08-07 07:52 PM

Thankx, Y'all.

Landon is a very special friend. He has endured in spite of his surroundings, which just so happens to be the highest crime area in the city. He has turned out to be a fine man, in the guise of a Ghandi. Strange to say, but here is a 21 year old man who has been my moral and spiritual inspiration, and in many many ways, my mentor, even though i am twice his senior.

Posted here for a single reason: to let folks know what the other side of the coin is like, for most all of us here are blessed in NOT knowing.
jeff

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