Janelle Barker Poet Rhyme

What Drives Youth Too Murder

Gangs today, created by youth
Charged with murder
13 years old
This is the ugly truth.
Can they blame their past
Of how they grew up?
To continue life as a screw-up
History of abuse and neglect
Gang membership
Of course, they will be 
A suspect
Family history of criminal violence
Gun in the house
Does this give a green light for a child
To be Kraus 
School difficulties, poor attendance
History of arrests 
Make the right choice
One would suggest.
To cross that line from robbery to murder
In that moment of attack, what is that child thinking
With adrenalin so high
All they think about is killing
That split second, in that moment 
You must wonder about their parents
And shake your head in astonishment

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David Smith April 13, 2021 at 1:47 PM The question needs to be continually asked. Strong communities I think do lesson the number of those who fall through the cracks. Counter messages to the doom and gloom merchants help too but there is never one answer except maybe keeping hope alive perhaps and poems like yours that may spur someone somewhere to act and prevent even one of these senseless killings. Glad you are still posting Regards David in NZ