For Trayvon

For Trayvon.

A young man I met.

Not the Trayvon who was senselessly murdered and whose killer walks free.

A different child.

He drew me a picture once. It was a bald eagle, in colors red, white and blue.

In honor of 4th of July.

He asked me to keep it. I told him I would.

For Trayvon

That he might feel safe to jog in his neighborhood

To make a call on a cell phone

To pray with his loved ones in a church

To not be murdered

For being who he is

For walking, talking, running, being, breathing.

For Trayvon

For Trayvon’s mother

That she may not have to be interviewed

Have to graciously accept white thoughts and prayers.

Have to graciously say, “because of his law enforcement ties” instead of

Because he’s white.

Because we are are black.

Because it’s the US of A

Because we’re not safe here; we never have been

For Trayvon