Last Words

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In late August, 2023, a white racist male murdered three black citizens at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, FL. The shooting claimed the lives of Angela Michelle Carr, 52, Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr., 19, and Jerrald Gallion, 29.

CNN: The first 911 call went out at 1:09 p.m., seconds before the third victim, Gallion, walked into the store with his girlfriend. 

 

Last Words

Imagine the curtain is falling on your last day

and you are down to the closing second of your life.

 

Imagine your last breath, the final pulsing zing

firing the neural pathways of your desire and longing.

 

Imagine your last impression, the ultimate glance,

the concluding image projected on your optic screen.

 

What words would you crave? What would be

the crowning sounds you long to hear as ending comes?

 

A distinctly articulated declaration of love?

 

A soft, gentle whisper of peace and farewell?

 

A brave assurance your family will persevere?

 

A promise of eternity as counterbalance to

life on earth so fleeting and ephemeral?

 

Maybe.

 

But not

 

Surely not

 

Absolutely not

 

Hell no, in no way not

 

“Welcome to Dollar General.”

 

 

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