Day 1,128

in solidarity with Abubaker

You’re searching for your friend,
the friend you knew
since you were small, when
you played together
on the beach, in the dirt
in your front garden. You’re
searching for the friend
you went to school with, played
football with on the field
a short walk from your house.
He’s not there on the field.
Not anywhere you can find him.
Scattered pieces of him
are buried in dust, hidden
behind stones. Where
is his bright smile? His
powerful kick that could drive
the ball nearly across
the whole field
into the goal? Have they gone
to feed rodents? Insects?
He was your friend. Murdered
while playing football. Fifteen
years old. Everything
he practiced so hard for
gone.