Her Name was Amber ~ OpenLinkNight

I've got glasses to polish, a stage to set, and a need to share a poem.  Sounds like OpenLinkNight might once again be upon us! Thank god it's Tuesday!

It has been an eventful week here in my part of the world. A double edged sword, as the body of a missing teenager was recently discovered not far from my home.  Posters have been everywhere, and strangers have not been welcomed.  Having a daughter of my own, this month has been terrifying, and I can not imagine, what that family must be going through. Prayers for closure, for healing and for justice are needed, as a family and a community tries to come to terms with this awful loss.

Her Name Was Amber

Her name was Amber

I say was, because

Up until the weekend, an entire community

Still had hope.

But like the amber leaves

Gone to ground

This time of year

So too, had she

Vigils now

Not for prayers for her return

Rather that she is welcomed

In heaven, that she did not suffer

That a killer be brought to justice

19 with her life ahead

Now 19 years of memories

Ended in a month of tears

We walk in fear

For every daughter

Every sister, every mother, every girl

Her face is our face

Plastered to telephone poles

Store fronts and windshields

The forest couldn’t keep the secret

Any longer

And slowly her face will disappear

But our hearts will remember

This picture of innocence

Our world erased.

Her name was Amber

Now Poets, will you answer our call and join us at dVerse for another OpenLinkNight?  I hope so, for purely selfish reasons...I need to get my poetry reading on! (and all your prayers will be appreciated)