Bystander Poem by Indigo Hawkins

“Oh my God.” A murmur of disbelief
pierces the ruckus in the room
quirky lips draw downward, a grim
ghoul maligning a jubilant face
distraught ebony eyes search the screen, intense
“Oh my God.” the second time the words rush out
brasher, with a breath
of desperation
the poignant plea suspended in the atmosphere, awaiting
rescue
in the form of answers to inquiries left
unexplained
by cnn news
“How did this happen? Why
did this happen? Why-
Why did-why did this…?
WHY-”
Hitched sobs interrupt the humming machinery
as everyone pauses, wondering
why he even bothers
to weep
for all the forfeited
futures