Heroine Heartache Poem by Courtney Pare' Cox

A little boy smiles and its as if I can feel its warmth through the photograph
for I myself have a grin upon my face while looking back at him
so innocent and caring, you poor thing do you know what you will become
all your day dreams and school boy hopes snuffed out

Page flips and my eyes come upon a handsome teenage boy
“Beatles” bob, and bell bottom pants
smile still from ear to ear yet it has a new twist
what have you been up to young man, what are you getting yourself into

right below and to the left the saddest image
a small baby girl upon the lap of a father she will never get to love
you daughter, she will grow to be a smart, successful young lady
why did you chose the life you lead and not one of your own

No more pictures of your once innocent face
the only evidence that you are still a part of this world
are the mugshots kept in a file so thick its seams are beginning to ache
which image do you want us to use
to remember
you by as your life has become a destructive shortcut
straight to the obituaries.