---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN#/ ISBN# issue/book “Falling” cc&d, v310 (the June 2021 28-year anniversary issue) Order the 6"x9" paperback book:

Order this writing in the book What If the cc&d May-August 2021 magazine issues collection book		get the 426 page May-August 2021 cc&d magazine 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Order this writing in the book Regarding Utopia the 2021 poetry, flash fiction, prose, & art collection anthology		get the 396 page poetry, flash fiction, prose, & artwork & photography collection anthology as a 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Lafayette Park, St. John’s Church

Naia Lee-Hendricks

At the barrier,
there was a man painting
not much older than me.
He painted his friends as they shouted,
but we could never forget their screams.

Behind me,
there was a girl with crutches.
Sixteen years old.
Her parents said it’s time to go,
but she didn’t want to.

By my side,
there were my friends.
Similar in age.
My friends said “but it is peaceful”,
but it didn’t matter.

In front of us
were lines of figures in combat gear.
They were too ambiguous to distinguish age.
They said nothing,
but advanced with their weapons anyway.

He watched them break his easel.
She watched them let her fall.
I watched them hurt my friend.

I saw him yell,
I saw her cry,
I saw him fall,
I saw the tear gas.

I never saw them again.

It was all for a picture with a bible.

I later learned his name was Hector.
My chance to learn her name was taken from me.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...