They look like all of us,

do you ever wonder when the dust settles

if they feel the same way as you

when their loss becomes real.

Victims of violence

those directly in the face of pain

but more indirectly

the family, brother, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, colleague

They all eventually will look like you and me.

I watched a grown man cry today

and I wondered if there might be someone so callous

to judge his pain

having not yet endured the loss he experienced

today, right now, at this very moment, in the instance

our reality becomes whether our order is ready

his state of mind is only about

WHY? WHY! WHY?

When does it become close enough to

that which creates our personal need

when do we recognize that our lives

are so fragile that the television commentary

will one day enter our living room

yes, that sanctity, that venue that no one crosses.

How long will we hide behind a news story before

we act upon the perils that permeate their lives;

victims of violence.