An exceptional Student Who Should Have Had a Beautiful Future

She made all A’s in high school
a four-year scholarship
to Duke University
planned to become a doctor
like her mother before her
participated in many activities
in her high school years
loved by her classmates
nice, funny, well mannered
worked part time at a mall
upon leaving work one night
never made it home
vanished that night
abducted and killed by
a serial killer waiting
under her car
her dreams, her academics
all her achievements and
all that she was – gone
the horror and unfairness
of her death haunts me still.

Bob Boyd

Mary Lindsay

She’s hooked on alcohol
can’t shake the addiction
she goes to church Sundays
tells God she’s giving up
getting drunk and drinking
back to the bars Monday
back to getting drunk again
Monday to Saturday

so far she’s repeated that
pattern for 30 plus days
church on Sunday
drunk Monday to Saturday

I’m not putting her down
horrible things happened
to Mary in her childhood
deep scars in her soul

because she keeps trying
I’m rooting for Mary
I believe she will become
free of her addiction and
have the happy life she
seeks and deserves
despite the unfortunate
beginning she had

and at least she keeps
trying, doesn’t give up.

Bob Boyd

Sweet Deceased Child Soul

you left this world
far too soon
never having
a chance to live
never having
a normal, full life
unable to walk
unable to talk
unable to play
as other
children play
bedbound all
your brief life
fated with water
on the brain
from birth
dead at age six
RIP sweet soul
I hope in the
afterlife
a happier home
awaited you
where you could
walk and talk
and play as
other children play.

Bob Boyd