This poem was inspired by the book “The Hate U Give”, by Angie Thomas. The speaker in the poem is a concerned person who thinks Khalil should have justice and to have justice for every person that got killed by an officer.
Why did you kill khalil
Was it because his melanin skin
Or was it because you thought he was reaching for something
Why did you kill khalil
How would you feel if somebody took your child from you
How do you sleep at night knowing you killed an innocent person
Why did you kill khalil
Don’t you think all of this could’ve been avoided
Don’t you think he just wanted to go home
Why did you kill khalil
Not one not two but three shots fired
You killed him
Don’t you know you’re wrong
Why did you kill khalil
Yes he sold drugs but is that all you know
Did you know his grandmother is sick and can’t work
Did you know his mother was on drugs so he had no choice but to do what he could
Why did you kill khalil
Was him selling drugs your excuse for killing him
Was him being black an excuse for killing him
Was him checking on Starr your excuse for killing him
You shouldn’t have an excuse
You shouldn’t be able to walk the streets anymore
You shouldn’t be able to keep your job
What happened to good cops
Aren’t you supposed to protect people from danger
You abused your power to protect……why
Because you know you’ll get away with it
Forever and always you’ll be Officer One-Fifteen
But in the “HOOD” you’ll always be known as….
KHALIL’S KILLER
Powerful poem! Interesting how your questions question the killers motives. It also lets the shooter know how he will be thought about quite differently than he thinks of himself long after he’s gone from ‘the hood.’ the structure of the poem is excellent. looking forward to reading more of your poetry.
I like your poem? Repetition of Why you killed Khalil and the ending line, he’s still living his life as officer 1-15, but to those that want to know why, he will remain, Khalil’s Killer!
I love your poem! I like the repetition in it, too. Also liked the way you were questioning whoever Khalil was talking to.