Brother Unborn
©1994 M Richter


Posters flapping in the breeze
Crimson crosses over the spot
Our shadows mingling with the stain
And a drop dancing on the wind
Like a mother’s drunken tear

Above the squawk of the squad cars
Songs thinly and some prayers
Whip by on the rushing air
What hymn comes next?
It can’t be picked; it must be written

Brother, O brother

God knows the things you were into
Were you a hit man?  Ladies’ fool?
Social victim?  Bad speller in school?
Whatever it was you did
This should not have happened

Brother, O brother mine

Above the pavement, from the viaduct
A colorful monument swings by its neck
No threat or violence will bring you back
May you and God and sinners all
Forgive my incomprehension

Brother, O brother mine unborn

This pile of white petals I gather
I rescatter