Saturday, August 03, 2024

AFTERMATH — A FOUND SONNET

by Susan Vespoli

—all words in the poem from a KJZZ Interview with Tom Maxedon


Susan Vespoli and her book One of Them Was Mine


What happened? Officer Lindo shot my son
in the back of his head. Blew everything
apart. In the face of powerlessness,
we should say his name: Adam Vespoli.
 
Phoenix Police Department Disciplin-
ary Review Board: cop was found out 
of policy. Immediately resigned. Freedom 
of Information Act. Aftermath. Coping
 
with grief. A molten slosh of pain. Healing
thoughts and hearts. My son, a big believer. 
My mission, words in mouth, to be his voice. 
Lawsuit resolved. Financial settlement. 
 
The    policeman    is    no     longer 
a policeman. He’s driving a truck in Texas.


Susan Vespoli writes from Phoenix, AZ and believes in the power of poetry to create change.