In awe of the law
that beats until you're raw.

Your face plastered universally.
You never got to go to University.

As if that's the worst of it all,
even though you've lived in fear
since you could crawl.

Got bullied in school
but you kept your cool
knowing reciprocating the behavior
wouldn't do you any favors
in a place where your neighbors
treat people like flavors
picking favorites, discarding others.

As if we don't all belong to a mother
who gave love and taught us what's right
along with advice not to fight.

Your fight is your existence she said.
She got through to him,
but not before the bullet
got through his head.