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Larger Up Close
When will this be memory
From a distance, cops are little
people in uniform
up close they’re uniformly big, broad, burly
frightening even
men and women both
brusque but polite
black and white
seeing the world in villains and victims
Offering the latter a frigid warmth
spawned in pragmatic empathy workshops
“I’m very sorry this happened to you, sir. Do you mind if we ask a few questions?”
“Thank you, and I’ll tell you what I can remember”
smiling wanly
“Forgive me, my brain is a little fried right now”
I’m polite too
because what’s the good in pissing off a cop
and
what’s the good in doubting someone who’s reaching out
today
When I could have reached out one more time
yesterday
I did not understand how fragile you were
I never thought to see you
a crystal shattered
light, scattered
