The words of one girl

Based off of a true story

The police are there to keep us safe

I know that

So why is it that when I walk the streets and I see the police, I feel that I have done something wrong?

I'd ride my bike through my neighborhood, and I'd hear the all too familiar siren. 

I immidietly pull my bike to the side of the road. 

Just in case, I always tell myself.

I have been saved by the police countless times.

But yet I am still uncomfortable.

I know that they are good people.

They keep crime off our streets.

I can't help the beating of my heart going into overdrive, though.

I have seen many people get arrested.

Friends, family, strangers.

I should be used to it by now.

But I'm not.

Maybe I'm just being silly.

After all, if I've done nothing wrong, they don't have a reason to arrest me.

But, I've learned recently, that it takes words from a single individual to put someone on the wrong side of the law.

Even if that individual was a well trusted friend.

Even if you thought of her as family.

If she wanted the publicity or the money, she could do anything.

Even ruining an innocent man's life.

A father to 2 teenagers, an older brother of 3, a son, an uncle, a nephew, a loving husband, and a family man.

These are all the things this man is. 

A man who treated this girl with nothing but kindness only to be stabbed in the back years later. 

This girl that goes to school with his youngest daughter.

This girl who has tried to take away the father and friend of the 2 teenagers just trying to make it through life.

The 2 teenagers who don't even feel safe at home or at school.

The 2 teenagers who could never trust a friend.

The 2 teenagers who must live a secret life.

The 2 teenagers who were told to keep their school life and their home life separated.

I don't hate the police. 

It's the opposite.

I am grateful for them.

They serve and protect those in need, not knowing if they are guilty or innocent.

The saying goes 'innocent before prooven guilty'

Or is it 'guilty before prooven innocent?'

That I do not know.

Reviews

[Gerald Parker]

I can't tell if this is a poem or something else, sorry.

[Wesley Dingler]

Maybe it's just something in my sardonic bones, but I agree. It does seem more like people are guilty until proven innocent--and by popular vote at that.
Your work here is wonderfully written, Emily. Keep practicing. You're very good, and will only get better, I'm sure.

[John the Baptist]

An interesting and thought provoking story, but you have misspellings in line 5 from the top, line 2 from the bottom and line 3 from the bottom. Detracts from the work.