A Mother’s Grief

You may take your condolences
    And tweet them up your arse,
Maligning to the world and press
    (Words so careful to parse)

A good and gracious woman who
    Was fatally attacked
When terrorism’s wrath plowed through
    A crowd so densely packed,

Equating her, equating them
    With the offending mob:
Such words may suit your stratagem,
    But will not my grief rob.

Hatred and frenzy your words upped,
    Like oil poured onto fire,
Then after tragedies erupt
    Disclaim them like a liar.

I will be no accessory
    To your malignant lie,
As if—a few words said to me— 
    Your conscience eased thereby.

We know wherein the guilt resides,
    So keep fomenting rage;
A mother’s tears wash with the tides
    And I will turn the page.
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