eulogy for our dead sons

sound taps! ring the dormant bells! 

wail aloud! burn the buildings down! 

pierce heaven's shield with mourning.

  gather 'round the corpse of the slain 

powdered and painted for a party 

clandom's day of remembrance 

the familiar curse of tears to shed

our cold heroes sleep past dreams; 

froze in the youth, they lay dead.  

all promise ceased with their heart 

hope vanquished at the hour of their passing.  

God hears the weak fists pounding

sees revenge kick ass about town.  

the brothers' lives survive on blood 

rivulets of life dried on a curb. 

tiny notes appear in the press: 

young man killed outside his home.

a numberless death counted by the FBI 

for a report on crime and statistical health.  

fire, then, the shots that "honor" these dead 

and bear one more to the funeral home.