It was legal
to shoot him in self-defense
because he put his hand
on my gun to defend himself
without lethal force
against the gun, I threatened
him with.
About the Poem
Reflections on the differing verdicts for Kyle Rittenhouse and the murderers of Ahmaud Arbery.
About the Author
Jeffrey L. Taylor is a retired Software Engineer. Around 1990, poems started
holding his sleep hostage. He has been published in di-vêrsé-city, California
Quarterly, Texas Poetry Calendar, and Texas Poetry Assignment. He writes on social justice, nature, and the spiritual path.
What you’ve just done in terse verse style is quite admirable, Jeffrey!