CHALK LINE (revised)

[Lisa Arnold]

CHALK LINE

walking home
from school
young Willie got caught
between the crossfire
he was just two blocks
away from his front door

seconds later,
he laid dead and alone
on the cold sidewalk

yesterday, he
celebrated his fifth
year of life
today, all he leaves
behind is a thin
white chalk line

next day, Willie’s blood
had been washed away
and his name and face
had already been forgotten

children die so often here
that mothers and fathers
and brothers and sisters
push the pain beneath the core
of their numb souls and try
to pretend not to feel

here in this dreadful place
death and violence
has become the norm
news crews no longer rush
to the scene and a child's death
no longer matters to them
or becomes a headline

©2012 Lisa Arnold

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[Reggie]

Lisa, it has been a good while since you have posted a new poem, and I must say that you came back with a stunner...it is so sad that a precious young child can die without much notice from the community of the media...poignantly told and very well done

[ciara]

WOW Lisa, this one surely makes one think...good job

it is nice to see you posting again at Echoes

[Lisa Arnold]

Nov 18, 2012 5:38:21 GMT -5 Reggie said:

Lisa, it has been a good while since you have posted a new poem, and I must say that you came back with a stunner...it is so sad that a precious young child can die without much notice from the community of the media...poignantly told and very well done

many thanks, Reg

I know, it is so sad that a child's life is reduced to nothing

[Lisa Arnold]

Nov 18, 2012 5:44:21 GMT -5 ciara said:

WOW Lisa, this one surely makes one think...good job

it is nice to see you posting again at Echoes

thanks so much, dear Ciara

[Bob]

first of all , welcome back to Echoes

secondly, you have penned a poignant and meaningful poem that hits the heart

lastly, I hope this is the start of you posting more often

[Lisa Arnold]

Nov 18, 2012 6:04:43 GMT -5 Bob said:

first of all , welcome back to Echoes

secondly, you have penned a poignant and meaningful poem that hits the heart

lastly, I hope this is the start of you posting more often

many thanks Bob

I am not sure if I will post often but I will try

[Betty]

Hi Lisa

it is so good to read a new poem by you

excellent job

[Jack]

welcome back Queen

a fine and well-crafted poem that brings the senselessness of urban violence to the forefront where it belongs

[Tamika]

told like it is and with much meaning, great job

I hope this is the beginning of more posts by you, Lisa

I miss your poetry at Echoes

[Helen]

very well told Lisa

[Lisa Arnold]

Nov 18, 2012 6:42:43 GMT -5 Betty said:

Hi Lisa

it is so good to read a new poem by you

excellent job

many thanks, Betty

[Lisa Arnold]

Nov 18, 2012 7:05:42 GMT -5 Jack said:

welcome back Queen

a fine and well-crafted poem that brings the senselessness of urban violence to the forefront where it belongs

thanks so much Jack

[Lisa Arnold]

Nov 18, 2012 7:33:35 GMT -5 Tamika said:

told like it is and with much meaning, great job

I hope this is the beginning of more posts by you, Lisa

I miss your poetry at Echoes

thanks, dear Tami

I miss sharing my poetry with you guys

[Lisa Arnold]

Nov 18, 2012 10:13:18 GMT -5 Helen said:

very well told Lisa

thanks so much Helen