I stand before an empty enclosure,

Wishing that God would bring you back.

You did not deserve this,

Truly it was not your fault.

The reality is all too much.

 

Where have you gone?

Where have the good times gone?

Where are the memories of joy and excitement upon seeing your face?

The cage is empty,

No more curious creature within.

 

I visited you, (a bit too often)

Overjoyed at seeing you in the ‘zoo’,

Really a prison.

I would watch as you beat your chest in greeting,

Now I beat my breast in mourning.

 

I enjoyed your company,

Surely you enjoyed mine.

Our observation of each other was that of a child and it's mother's face.

I watched as you placed your fur-palm on the other side of mine,

Matching the fingers as they were meant to.

 

I walked to the glass and pressed my face upon it,

Hoping to get as close to you as I could, you doing the same.

We would marvel at each other,

Not quite different,

Not quite the same.

 

We both bleed when hit by a bullet.

We both feel pain.

I feel the impact of the shot whenever I hear your name.

It comes back, the injustice,

Never will it fade.

 

It will always linger,

A permanent shadow.

The pressure on my heart will never be released.

This ever-present wound

Opens each night I close my eyes and try to rest.

 

The world will see.

The unfairness cannot be ignored.

Bang!

A single shot quickly brings attention to those nearby,

Why not the world?