Upon the Violent Death of a Friend
Bar every window.
Avoid the Dark.
The dart is coming.
You’re on the mark.
Chain up your gateways.
Bar the door.
Whatever evil finds you,
There is always more.
In your life’s highway,
avoid the skids.
Don’t talk to strangers.
Lock up your kids.
Darkness advances
by ticks and tocks.
Take no chances.
Recheck the locks.
Don’t take airplanes
or cars or ships.
Keep what’s private
behind your lips.
Buy a gun and
keep it cocked.
If you knew who’s watching,
you would be shocked.
Lock your bedroom
when you retire.
Life’s a minefield.
Don’t trip the wire.
Wrap your kids in
cotton wool.
Don’t dare send them
out to school.
Mind the playgrounds.
Avoid the street.
Television
is more discrete.
Train your dogs to
attack and kill
whomever enters
against your will.
Limit friends to
a very few.
New ones just might
target you.
Build your walls up
both high and wide.
Then just fester
alone, inside.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Powerful words, Judy. Sounds as though you’ve had this experience. Very moving.
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Two of my friends were brutally murdered two nights ago. I’d been lying awake most of the night and I’m sure you know how it goes. I just had to write something.
Grief and fear can take one in strange directions.
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That’s terrible. I’m very sorry for your loss. No wonder the poem is so powerful. x
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Judy — that was amazing and very poignant — u have expressed feelings I have had for years — watcha goin’ to do….seems there is quite a substory to these violent deaths…enuf said
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The poem frightens me, makes me think scary thoughts, makes me more afraid of the dark. It was easier to read about the deaths when I didn’t know the people but I know you and now know how afraid you are and how afraid I am becoming. How can we escape? How can we find the freedom from the fear?
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That was the point of the poem, Anna…to show that escaping too completely just isolates us. If it is any consolation, the police have arrested 3 men…construction workers who were working next door. Nina reported them for noise and a barking dog…or for abusing the dog. They lost their jobs and came back for retaliation. One of the men had a stab wound in his hand and went to Cruz Roja, who turned him in. He turned the other two in. This is just from the web boards, but from the beginning, friends thought it was retaliation for her reporting the men who lost their jobs. No comfort to Nina and Eduardo, but certainly more comfort to those of us who feared a new level of violence in random robberies.
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My Dearest Judy (my usually light hearted Judy),
Your loss is my loss, it is everybody’s loss. We are all a reflection of society. during the last Century WE (me, us) murdered 100 million human beings between wars, hunger, illness. What is each one of us doing to alliviate our world’s pain? What is our response-ability to this desaster? Give voice to our cry of pain and create awareness, my dear gifted Judy!
“No man is an island of its own…” Karuna GomezMont
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I think most of us give, each in our own way, Karuna, even if it is only to our own loved ones. Our community is especially strong in those who seek to give back to the Mexican community, be it to children, animals or the elderly. You certainly give more than the usual. It is all too easy to see all the pain in the world. We also need to remember to see all the people who seek to alleviate it.
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Wow. What a powerful poem. This seems to be the dilemma of society today. Living with trust and faith leaves us vulnerable, but without the constant anxiety and fear. Living in a fortress leaves us isolated and fearful of everything. I choose the former, but there are definite risks. My heart goes out to you and to those who loved Nina and Eduardo.
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OMG Judy, how terrible about your friends. Yes, this is definitely a cruel world we live in today, so much hate & crime. Sometimes I really wonder what this world is coming too. However the poem you wrote was really wonderful, did not know about the friends until after I read the poem. You are so talented & a beautiful writer. You take care, God Bless you & keep you safe ok. Love, NJ (Norma Jean Iverson Huhn)
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Thanks Norma. I enjoy keeping up with your life on Facebook.
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You write a powerful poem but I am just speechless and incredibly sad
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