Easy as 8, 7, 6

(to the memories of George Floyd, Renee Nicole Good, and Adam Vespoli)

Fourteen years ago today

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot,

Miraculously surviving a gunshot wound to the head.

The assassin had killed six others,

Including a federal judge

And a nine-year-old girl born

On September 11, 2001.

..

Yesterday, January 7,

Self-described Poet, Writer, Wife, Mom

Renee Nicole Good

Was shot by an ICE agent in the face three times

While she was trying to get away in her vehicle

And her wife, Rebecca Good, stood nearby,

Screaming,

Witness to her murder.

..

Five years ago

On January 6

An angry mob whipped up

By outgoing President Donald Trump

Wreaked havoc on the Capitol,

Assaulting Capitol policemen,

Chanting HANG MIKE PENCE!

And otherwise violently attempting to stop

The orderly transition of power.

..

This consecutive cluster of January days

Reveals the evil inherent

In weaponry in the wrong hands,

Including hate speech,

Misuse of the American flag,

And abuse

Of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The primary law

That legitimate Law Enforcement Officers

Need to enforce

Is that of the sanctity

Of human life.