The Photo That Sealed Tsarnaev's Fate

(Photo/Courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Justice)

There's a picture that's been circulating for a while

Of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev from the Boston Bombing trial.

First time that I saw it, looked my husband in the eye,

Said, that photo guarantees they'll sentence him to die.

In the picture Dzhokhar's lurking there behind a tree

Looking straight at Martin Richards' happy family.

That is when Tsarnaev, standing silent and alone,

Chose to target children - acting, solely, on his own.

I was spared the gory details jurors had to see

But, I bet that if you asked the courtroom, they'd agree;

That's the piece of evidence that sealed Tsarnaev's fate.

Killing children isn't something we will tolerate.

The Boston Marathon Bomber

Jury found Tsarnaev guilty on all 30 counts.

Sentencing's next week, when his defense attorney mounts

Her case why the jury shouldn't send him to his death;

Why the State should not insist he draw his final breath.

By a huge majority more people than I thought

Feel his execution is devoutly to be sought.

I have said they ought to spare his life 'cause he's a kid,

That he only followed what his older brother did.

But, with public sentiment against the kid so strong

I have had to reconsider...  Maybe I was wrong.

I was not in Boston on that truly awful day,

Therefore, I don't have the right to choose the price he'll pay.

If it gives the victims closure maybe he should die,

But I still can't help it.  I feel sorry for the guy.

Either way, his life is over just like those he killed.

He had better pray that his attorney's very skilled.

The Tsarnaev Defense

Prosecution's wrapping up Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's trial

And, although we know he's guilty, it took them awhile.

His defense will make their case in just a day or 2.

They've already said the allegations made are true.

All that's left to argue now is if the boy should die

Or if he's a victim, too...  Manipulated by

Tamerlan, his older brother, and the crimes he did

Do not merit death because Dzhokhar was just a kid.

Mother was deported and divorcing his sick dad;

All alone - his parents gone - his brother all he had.

Thus, despite the horrors at the Boston Marathon,

Defense plans to argue that Dzhokhar was just a pawn.

As the mom of teenage boys, I'd buy that argument...

If my older son jumped off a bridge, as down he went,

Right behind - I'm pretty sure - his "little" brother would

Follow without pausing to consider if he should.

Teenage Boys Are Stupid

Bomber of the marathon in Boston's college friend,

On trial and now waiting 'til deliberations end,

Has to hope the jury members know some teenage boys

Or of all the brain cells that their smoking pot destroys.

This kid didn't help police; at least, not right away.

Phillipos seemed slow to realize it's not okay

Sticking to the rule that college friends don't talk to cops...

When your friend's a terrorist, the code of silence stops.

Even though the part he played, in fact, was rather small

He tried hard to cover-up he was involved, at all.

So he started lying - which you shouldn't oughta try

When you're being questioned by police and FBI.

Didn't get the details right, he said, 'cause he was stoned.

Wasn't sure his friend was guilty or he would have phoned.

Now he could get 16 years because of what he did.

Though he might be guilty, I feel sorry for the kid.

The Boston Marathon Bombings' One Year Anniversary

Marathon survivor and Chelmsford native, Jeff Bauman, just released a new book.

 

Just a year since Boston was attacked - but it feels longer.

Terrorism didn't win...  It only made us stronger.

'though we saw the worst of man we, mostly, saw the best.

Cowardice of 2 young men made heroes of the rest.

Strangers rushed to render aid to victims of the blast;

I have never seen so many people move that fast.

We will always mourn the three who died that April day;

That's a sense of loss and grief that hasn't gone away.

Yet, how many more were saved by strangers from the crowd

Rushing in to help the wounded?  They made Boston proud.

Didn't hurt that local hospitals are world renowned;

Better care for trauma victims couldn't have been found.

On this anniversary I dedicate my rhyme

To those brave survivors; praying that they'll heal with time...

Knowing that - for them - a single year is not that long;

Hoping they will lean on us, 'cause we are Boston Strong.

B Strong... Again

Lt. Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy

Red Sox are in Boston; their Home Opener's today

And my lucky sister gets to go and see them play...

Watch them get their rings and raise the banner in the park.

We could use our Red Sox - Boston's mood is rather dark.

We've just buried firemen from Engine 33,

Ladder 15: Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy.

Rushed into a burning building, as such heroes do.

(Both were 1st responders when the Marathon bombs blew.)

Game today is dedicated to the men we've lost.

Sox hope we can start to heal when that 1st pitch is tossed.

P.S. To my sister; If you run into Ortiz,

Don't forget to look into the Samsung and say "Cheese!"

David Ortiz's, now infamous, "selfie" with President Obama. (Courtesy of/David Ortiz)

The Smoking Non-Gun

Thermal image of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hiding in a boat last Friday night.

Spent the week insisting law enforcement is the best;

Everyone has heard the tapes of Friday night's arrest,

Told ourselves how brave we were; that we were "Boston Strong."

Story that was told to us - apparently - was wrong.

'though the car he stole was only blocks from where he hid,
Thousands of our finest searched and couldn't find the kid.

Made it less than half a mile once he began to run.
Cops have torn his route apart; they didn't find a gun.

Once the owner of the boat got searchers back on track,

We were told Dzhokhar shot at them; officers shot back.

Bullets flew, explosions lit the sky - but now it seems

All those rounds were fired by police and their SWAT teams.

I can't say I blame the State Police or FBI;

Tamerlan proved that the brothers were prepared to die.

Job description doesn't list "Infallible" for cop...

But, this self-congratulating stuff? It's time to stop.

The Boston Marathon - "Book Him, Danno"

Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev wrestled for Cambridge Rindge & Latin. My eldest was at this match... Different weight class. (Photo/BostonHerald.com)

Friends of Boston's bombing suspect - shocked by recent news -

Can't believe Islamic martyrdom's a fate he'd choose.

Cambridge Rindge & Latin classmates say their friend,  Dzhokhar,

Was a scholar, stoner, and a high-school wrestling star.

Popular with fellow students; never gave a clue

Bombing Boston's Marathon was anything he'd do.

FBI has questions for him - before rights are read.

Dzhokhar tried to kill himself but shot his throat instead.

Looks like he'll stay silent now; forget Miranda Rights.

Any statements from Dzhokhar will be the ones he writes.

 John McCain and Lindsey Graham say he's an enemy;

Want to take away protections granted you and me.

I think it's a bad idea and isn't Boston's style.

Even British redcoats got a fair and open trial.

Kudos to our law enforcement; well and bravely done.

Please don't stumble at the end or terrorism's won.

A Hell of a Week

Following his arrest, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is treated for serious injuries received during a shoot out with police. (Photo/Telegraph)

In Boston - a hell of a week.

The terrorist suspects we seek

Are dead or arrested

Now we're interested

In shipping Dzhokhar up the creek.

The Boston Marathon: The Finish Line Is In Sight

Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev; the Boston Marathon bombing suspects.

Boston suburbs' residents are asked to stay inside;

Suspect number 2 is on the run and needs to hide.

FBI put photos out and, now, know who they are.

Suspect number 1 is dead and 2 won't get too far.

Sadly, on their way to Hell, they took another life.

Boston massacre without the British, drums, or fife.

Officer shot in his car; he worked for MIT.

One more senseless death they've added to the other 3.

Turns out Suspects 1 and 2 are brothers who live here.

Suspect 2, the white hat guy, whose facial shots were clear;

Recognized by classmates; he's from Cambridge...  Just a kid.

Immigrants from Chechnya...  Could that be why they did

Such a stupid, evil thing? Perhaps we'll never know.

I believe we'll find him 'cause he's got no where to go

But, I do not think the boy's intending to survive

Making it quite difficult to capture him alive.

I Need A Break

(Photo/Plymouth.edu)

I've been glued to television; sickened by the news...

Going to New Hampshire to be soothed by mountain views.

Cannot watch this tragedy rehashed, again, today.

Tired of the talking heads and what they have to say.

Have to skip the tributes 'cause they only make me cry.

There is nothing I can do to help the FBI.

I'll be sending money to a local guy who lost

Both his legs on Monday - which still won't defray his cost.

That - and offer up my prayers - it's all that I can do

And, as a lapsed Catholic, my prayers may not go through.

So, I'm going to the mountains where I'll be up high

Praying for the victims and that we will catch this guy.

The Boston Marathon Tragedy

Thank you for the prayers.  (Photo/CNN)

Two devices detonated in the Boston crowd;

Bomber killed an 8 year old.  I hope the bastard's proud.

First was at the Finish Line; the second, down the block.

Here in Massachusetts we're still in a state of shock.

Witnesses described it as a loud, percussive thud...

Thought it was a celebration - then they saw the blood.

First responders to the scene arrived in seconds flat;

Faster than the runners who won olive for a hat.

I don't know how many lives they saved, but 3 were lost.

Can't begin to calculate the pain these bombs will cost.

Near the victory bridge - in April breezes - flags unfurled...

Boston  mourns explosions that sent shock-waves 'round the world.