23,000 marathoners
a half a million spectators
cheer them on
on Boylston Street
near the movie theater
across from Old South Church
and the Boston Public Library
just a block from the painted
finish line
runners while business folk
walk looking down at iPad
or iPhone texting or talking
and looking up now and then
at runners in this annual ritual
with homeless people
selling Street Papers
for a dollar and a smile
and here on this street
in this city where runners
meet pavement and goal
and a chance to make
history
here blood stained ground
banner of hands de-fingered
palm down press detached
from arm, eyes shocked
and legs turned in opposite
directions--like they don't
know each other
and why do we say "innocent"
when we speak of dead children
as if all the adults now blown
into pieces that will never
be puzzled together again
are somehow--in this moment--
deserving of pellet riddled
bombs bursting in air
laced with nails
for maximum damage
on Patriot's Day
suspended between
12 seconds--one boom!
and smoke surrender
to panic
while people wonder
what the hell just happened
buckling legs
missing foot
chest open
back flayed
across yellow painted
lines at mile 26
with point 2 left
to run for the little
girl running for 26 people
dead in Newtown
and the 8-year-old boy
the first sacrifice on
this altar of hate
near the movie theater
across from Old South Church
and the Boston Public Library
just a block from the painted
finish line
runners while business folk
walk looking down at iPad
or iPhone texting or talking
and looking up now and then
at runners in this annual ritual
with homeless people
selling Street Papers
for a dollar and a smile
and here on this street
in this city where runners
meet pavement and goal
and a chance to make
history
here blood stained ground
banner of hands de-fingered
palm down press detached
from arm, eyes shocked
and legs turned in opposite
directions--like they don't
know each other
and why do we say "innocent"
when we speak of dead children
as if all the adults now blown
into pieces that will never
be puzzled together again
are somehow--in this moment--
deserving of pellet riddled
bombs bursting in air
laced with nails
for maximum damage
on Patriot's Day
suspended between
12 seconds--one boom!
and smoke surrender
to panic
while people wonder
what the hell just happened
buckling legs
missing foot
chest open
back flayed
across yellow painted
lines at mile 26
with point 2 left
to run for the little
girl running for 26 people
dead in Newtown
and the 8-year-old boy
the first sacrifice on
this altar of hate
© Valerie Bridgeman
April 16, 2013
The Day After
DRAFT
Because I had to write something about the bombing at the Boston Marathon
April 16, 2013
The Day After
DRAFT
Because I had to write something about the bombing at the Boston Marathon
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