Found Crime
by Judy MacDonald

* * * * *

Staff Seargeant Rockwell

From a policeman's perspective,
I don't think they tell the truth.

It may be, we just don't know.

But I work on the premise
that people lie.

Whereas our country works the premise
that people tell the truth.

But that doesn't really happen.

* * * * *

Happy 2000

Roads around the hospital
were cordoned off.
Traffic moved slowly,
crowds were on the sidewalks,
many on their way home from fireworks.

As investigating officers arrived
fireworks could still be heard
exploding by the lake.

Constable Davin Kealey:
"SIU will be called into this one for sure."

Witnesses said the shots occurred
just as fireworks began rocking downtown.

"The suspect isn't moving forever and a day,"
said a uniformed officer
who asked not to be named.

* * * * *

Yellow Rope, Yellow Ribbon

Police wrapped a yellow rope around the corpse
officers took turns hanging on to the rope
to keep the churning waves
from dragging it out into the lake.

Above the rocks
where the body came to rest,
the park is lush
with grass and evergreens.
Paths for
pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and in-line skaters
crisscross the park.

The large police presence last night
and the yellow police tape
which cordoned off part of a pathway
attracted the curious
out for an evening stroll,
including two parents with their newborn,
and men walking their dogs.

A lifeguard station with posted signs
that warn against swimming
stands high above the rocks
where the body was pulled
from the water
by police.