The cannonball riddles my heart

Like a rocket pierces the skies

There, the end I see

beckoning

as the cold hands of Death grab my bleeding soul

this island is sinking beneath my feet!

“Help!”, “Help!” I cry

to the country I pledged allegiance

 I cling to a life chattering

In agony, my tears I taste

the juice of my gall

My blood fills my throat

Then, my life flashes before me

like does lightning through the earth

I am just a child

living in the land of the free.

Like every other child,

My right to my mistakes I flaunt

In school, on the street

It is the badge of my youth

this is the land of the free!!!

Armed with skittles and tea,

As I walked home alone tonight

In a neighborhood unfamiliar

I dreamed like a child

I dreamed like an American

“One day I will live in a place like this”

My name is Travon

For those that never got to know me

Gbenga Omotayo © 2013

Dedicated to Travon Martins