when the news is new

a funny man
kills himself

a cop kills an innocent kid

a developmentally disabled
McDonald's worker
foils a robbery –
taking a bullet
that takes his life

politicians on trial
Gaza on fire with ceasefire
a break in the bombing
in peace we trust
the whole world hopes
perhaps to no avail

a protester at the Gay Games
wouldn’t you know

but count your blessings

a 99-year-old woman there
will run the 100-yard dash
with a cane, with no competition
and we all can cry into our coffees
cuz, wouldn’t you know

she means to win