To Chicago,Under Fire

The Windy City began 2013 with a bang!
Ten down in seven days.
Forty-three in January alone
And rising
And rising.

They even heard the shots on the even streets of Irving Park
And the news never changes:
“No witnesses. No suspects in custody.”

Words that resound like a double blow to the already doubled-over gut
of Jo Ann Tennev
Step-mother of Rey Dorantes, fourteen
A high school freshmen
Gunned down while talking on his cell phone
In front of his home.

He stumbled into the doorway
Gurgling through his hollow chest
Somebody do something!
But Rey slipped away before the Paramedics slipped in.

They called him: Dead on arrival.
It’s for the best-
All the beds at Mount Sinai are full.

Probably as full as the President’s inbox
Brimming with petitions
With Somebody do somethings!
With outraged cries-
Outright demands
For help.

Probably as full as God’s inbox
Brimming with petitions
With Somebody do somethings!
With prayer for change

All of this
While Rey bleeds out on the new carpet
Gurgling through his chest

In the Windy City
still fanning the flame
Our Chicago, under fire.

CLICK TO DONATE TO THE REY DORANTES DREAM FUND,