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.