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Click herecould you stop for a moment, please?
could you give me five minutes?
go to another station and fill up!
i am bleeding inside-
can't you smell the copper on the wind?
can't ring you out with shaking fingers-
can't stand, when the Norwich Bulletin took my knees.
just a story to them-
just a good headline;
"Arrest Made in '96 Case..."
April.
just a story to them,
but the death of hope to me, to many.
twelve years of scanning faces
twelve years of wondering-
where? maybe? could it be? please, God...
"Suspect charged with murder..."
Fifteen when she went missing,
with her disillusioned heart.
tough age, Fifteen-
in a nowhere town with brick walled dreams,
but oh sweet Jesus, what a smile!
"On May 29, 1996, April was held against her will.."
did he ever see her smile?
he must have.
it wasn't the first time they'd met-
the night she crawled out her window.
did they promise her a good time?
some easy forgetting in a mary jane haze?
"...Raped and murdered..."
yeah, she wasn't perfect-
there was dirt under her nails
and secrets behind those teeth.
but did he know how great she was with kids?
how she was always first to volunteer to help?
how loud she sang?
how so many people loved her?
"He has a history of sexually assaulting teens..."
did he see only opportunity in her despair?
a warm orifice for his gratification?
did he see only meat and not her soul?
hadn't he seen her eyes sparkle in the sunlight?
what was he thinking when he stole her tomorrows?
was she only spent, splayed legs and an inconvenience ?
"The state will not seek the death penalty..."
could you give me a moment, please?
could you just give me five minutes?
The Norwich Bulletin just took my knees.
just a story to them-
just a good headline-
but she was my friend.
"...because they don't have a body..."
April, I remember you.
April Dawn Pennington August 22, 1980-May 29,1996
This poem went for the jugulars and never let go... full of suspense, power and regrets - the power of regrets - poignant!
this seemed so personal. i first want to say thank you for sharing it with the lit family. the inserts from the article drew me in. your words are heartfelt. i'm sure April hears you.
Thank you for writing this eulogizing/protest poem. Heart breaking.
We don't often understand the life behind a heart-rending headline like that. Your words gave a glimpse.
Extraordinarily powerful poem bursting with tragedy and grief. Careful about editing — you'll smother the raw emotions out of it.