A cento, sorta, taking some lines from news sources like the BBC and the New York Times, to honor the lives of the victims in Atlanta.

Say Their Names And Something Important About Them
--a cento, sorta

Hyun Jung Grant was playful and fun
and had a young spirit,
“I have the mind of a young teenager,” she said.
Robert Aaron Long is a killer.

Xiaojie Tan, who was an entrepreneur,
was called “the sweetest, kindest, most giving person”
by a customer.
Her friends called her Emily.
Robert Aaron Long is a racist.

Daoyou Feng only recently started working
for Xiaojie Tan. She was quiet and kind,
and her life was cut short before we could know her better.
Robert Aaron Long made that cut.

Delaina Ashley Yaun was looking forward to a date
with her husband, who survived the attack.
She was the “most hard-working, most determined,
most outspokenly good-hearted person.”
Robert Aaron Long is a terrorist.

Paul Andre Michels was one of nine siblings,
a Catholic, and a veteran of the U.S. Army infantry.
He was “a very hard working, loving man.”
Robert Aaron Long is toxic Chrisitianity.

Elcias R. Hernandez-Ortiz was a mechanic 
and recently married. His 10 year old daughter’s 
birthday is soon. He was shot.
And survived.
Robert Aaron Long attempted his murder.

Suncha Kim was a grandmother
who enjoyed line dancing
in her spare time.
She was long past 
the golden anniversary of her marriage.
Robert Aaron Long is toxic masculinity.

Soon Chung Park worked with Suncha.
She had family in New York and New Jersey.
She was so easy to get along with.
Robert Aaron Long is a misogynist.

Yong Ae Yue was a good mother and
was always there for her two sons.
She was generous and giving, 
even to her ex-sister-in-law.

Robert Aaron Long took lives and liberty:
a thief,
a murderer,
a stain.
May he soon be forgotten,
while we sing the memory of
Hyun & Xiaojie & Daoyou
Delaina & Paul & Elcias
Suncha & Soon Chung & Yong Ae

©David Siller – 2021

*****

For the first 100 days of the Biden administration, this website will feature a new poem of What’s Next!? These pieces can be calls to action, calls to attention, or calls to anger. They will light the way and guide the fight. They will get us moving and keep our momentum. They will be filled with hope, with anger, with sorrow. They will get us into good trouble and point out the trouble we need to stop. They will be polished gems, or rough-cut drafts of rage, or in-process pieces searching for peace. They may be haiku or tanka, limericks or lyrics, verses free or fettered.

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