Solving |
Frank follows the story on the local news;
a man and woman come on
with less polish than the networks,
describe in horrific clarity
the double murder in Bodega Bay.
Frank listens, and then sits with pad at the ready
mind races through, clues, days, times.
He wants to figure out the school yard game
played during evil recesses,
wants to help solve
crime.
He remembers his efforts on
Green River, Hillside, Dahmer.
All eventually won
by someone else.
He thinks of the others
that elude capture:
Jon Benet's murder, the Zodiac, Jack the Ripper.
Wonders how much effort, time
and energy
this one will take.
Tries to forget
the look in that picture on the news,
the victim in happier times
with eyes that stare at him through the screen,
in dark and in unimaginable pain
that beg for the help which never came.
He takes a deep breath
picks up the pad, and
races toward
the finish line.
copyright 2004
Jack G.
Bowman |