Another R.I.P. Page

Another memorial.
Another facebook page filled with comments from friends...R.I.P., R.I.P., R.I.P., R.I.P.,...
Until I want to rip the pages from the computer
And somehow breathe the spirit of life
Back into my little children that were so sassy and bright-eyed
And reluctant to read out loud until they discovered
That they could be extravagant actors and actresses.

Now silent silence.

His brother walked the boards to receive the diploma for him
Four hours before they hugged goodbye for the last time--
But at least he knew he had won that race.

We told his mom, "Please help him learn self-control
Before his fights cause him to get into real trouble."
But a gas station argument ended with gunshots.

Now silent silence.

She was not the intended victim.
He was in the wrong place, wrong time.
They didn't know it would go this far.
"It wasn't my fault. It wasn't my fault. It wasn't my fault."

None of us are at fault
And, yet, until we make changes,
Significant changes,
We are responsible
For the silent silences
The R.I.P., R.I.P., R.I.P.,...
The facebook pages that carry only the memories
Of those precious potentials.
This is one more memorial.
You will always be my child.
I love you.