Renee

Renee 

I believe in God too, but not predestiny, 

but after many tears at cruelty and lies and disbelief  

that this day, a young mother could gunned down 

by an agent of some law in broad daylight, 

you become the latest in a line 

of people who have been martyred. 

If I could, I'd ask you if you knew

this might happen and chose to show

up brave and beautiful anyway. 

Now, Renee, you're a moment of critical mass

I pray to you, topple

this rotten narrative we've been force fed. 

Saint Renee, is what I will call you. 

Patron of those who find fault and all who understand. 

For those who wander into

a rage of untapped hatred and you

with all that light in your beautiful face

are tinder and match. I will

remember by burning the candle with 

your picture on it. A candle 

not sanctioned by religion. 

Sanctioned by need. 

Maybe, like me in the space of your own home, you secretly called 

Kristy Noem a dog killer

and knew that anyone who could kill a puppy 

at point blank range was actually a serial killer. 

But you, perhaps you were too nice for that. 

I read your last words, 

"That's fine, dude. I'm not mad at you." 

And 20 seconds later you were dead, 

your innocence and love helixing into morning's

cold air praying to change

this fucking burnt narrative.