Dear Officer So and So,
the police
never showed
the kid waited
and waited
and waited
but they never
showed
i’d like to know
why
could somebody there
please tell me why
why you never showed
when i see
an officer on the street
with their uniform
and their badge
and their gun
their oath
i wanna go up to ‘em
and just ask ‘em
why
why didn’t you show
up
and get me the hell outta there
the kid in me
just wants to know
why you never showed
why you never checked
why you never followed-up
with questions
for the child …
are you ok?
do you need help?
do you want to go and live
somewhere else?
she musta been invisible
quietly crying
silently praying
waiting and waiting
waiting for what
for when
12 years went by
the system failed
and i want you to know that
i need you to know that
i need you to know that I know that
but what if i hadn’t been so strong
well, I know you’re busy
and all
and this letter’s much too late
but i sent it anyways
have a good day
TL