Rest in Peace

does he know?
the man who cleans off the graffiti
blue that slowly runs
down the side of someone's shed
screaming out the memory
of a boy-become-statistic

the sprayed epitaph
you walk past each day
to never let him go
to never let you heal

so we tell you to forget

wake up from loud nightmares
ringing in your ears
that mix with sirens
both remembered and real
leaves you screaming all alone
for years you've been standing in that alley
screaming in the night

so we tell you to forget

but you can still remember
the warm liquid on your hands
holding the last moments flowing from your friend

so we tell you to forget

the tears of bright blue blood
in the letters resprayed monthly
the landlord barks threats
behind the screen
too scared to step
because of all these gangsters

none of them are boys
the body of a member
slain between the streets
a lossless death, one problem gone

so we tell you to forget

sweat of your palms
hands shaking, as that one finger jerks
another shot, another scream.
forget.
forget the sound. forget the faces.

but we never showed you
and this is the only way you know
it's how the asphalt taught you to heal

sirens screeching to the pounding of your heart
and now, it's just you
for years you'll be standing in the cell,
screaming in the night

so we tell you to remember

remember the blood on your hands
so that you will change, be reformed
tatoo the crime onto your skin

the blue paint, slowly running down
forget
forget
remember
remember