Vox Populi
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Gail Langstroth | Running: Christchurch / Pittsburgh
he coming
helmet, glasses, dress-
of-military, bullet
bullet he pass
not talk me, start
shooting
people in church, everyone
killing
I running
dressed in a white
prayer robe
he survived to tell us
& I— 14,190 kilometers away
—we know
hate-bullets halt
prayer, unleash grief/
death:
Tree of Life Synagogue
& Antwon Rose II—
(white policeman
trial next week)
Antwon, just 17
last summer
he
running
Ed. note: On October 27, 2018, at the Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The congregation, along with New Light Congregation and Congregation Dor Hadash, which also worshipped in the building, was attacked during Shabbat morning services. The suspect killed eleven people and wounded six, including several Holocaust survivors. It was the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the United States. A lone suspect, identified as 46-year-old Robert Gregory Bowers, was shot multiple times by police and arrested at the scene.
Antwon Rose II was a 17-year-old African-American who was fatally shot in East Pittsburgh on June 19, 2018, by police officer Michael Rosfeld after being suspected of participating in a drive-by shooting. Rose had an empty handgun magazine in his pocket and gunshot residue on his hand. Allegheny County Medical Examiner Daniel Wolfe said the residue was likely the result of Rose firing a gun but could also have come from Rosfeld’s weapon. Rose was transported to McKeesport Hospital where he was later declared deceased. Following the shooting, Rosfeld was charged with criminal homicide. After a 4-day trial, Rosfeld was acquitted on all counts.
Copyright 2021 Gail Langstroth
Gail Langstroth is a poet, eurythmist, and visual artist who lives in Pittsburgh.
Line drawing by Gail Langstroth
Vox Populi 
We mourn so much, but at least we know
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