Where Will My Child Be Safe?

A Poem in Response to Prompt: Maps

Photo by Matt Popovichon Unsplash

We all sleep, and breathe and dream in this city —

But do not go east at night, dear child.

I have mapped these crimes,

These grand indictments.

These crossed lines

Extend past daybreak too

I’ve heard these tales, and steer clear

Of the latitudes and longitudes.

And south of here, right by school

Where you want to just look at Lego sets

Even though we have groceries to get —

This parking lot becomes territory

To lost souls who are not here

For Starbucks or weekly shopping peace.

And yes, all 12 voted, first degree

Behind your soccer practice fields

Mark on your map, a felony.

Don’t be alone for crossfire then —

Please hold my hand,

Just hold my hand.

And north of course,

Where you were born

Suspicious vehicle left to emergency

A man, left to bleed,

a kid, really —

Only 16.

Does his mother weep?

Her sweet son lost in the same driveway

Where first we both drove home,

Nursed our newborn boys

To sleep.

Mark the north spot. Ink it, deep.

Well west, you said,

Mama look how the sun sets —

It’s so beautiful, Mama.

Please look away my child.

I learned that predators are out on bail,

And I have no more ways for us to sail.

© Samantha Lazar 2019

Originally Published Here.