New poem: ODE TO JUROR B37

she had her mind made up
nothing would breach
the fortifications
of a lifetime
of just knowing
that neighborhood watchpeople
had oh-so-good intentions
even when ignoring 911 operators
even when engaging in pursuit-with-loaded-gun
even when shooting unarmed teenage boy
who very likely thought
neighborhood watchperson
was someone intent
on robbery or worse
>
and she just knows
that neighborhood watchperson
will do his job better now
never again committing
the regrettable error
of taking a human life

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS ON

Updated version of my 2007 poem THIRTY YEARS ON--regarding the high school graduating
class of 1977, of which I'm a member.