TRACE DNA

No lingering prints
Shells or encasements
Not much to be found
On the grass, near the pavement.

Fireworks that night
Masked the sound of the gun
No need for concern
Kids just having fun.

With her dog on a leash
A woman walked by
She caught a glimpse
Of a slender, white guy.

Could be in his 30’s
He was wearing a hat
Was sure it was gray
She was sure, sure of that. 

That night in the park
A young woman was shot
Was killed at close range
Did she know him or not?

An offer…. $5,000
An incentive reward
Hoping for someone
To provide something more.

Maybe he was
Someone that she knew
The story was aired
On the 6 o’clock news.

Flyers were posted
All over town 
Maybe someone 
Had seen him around.

Though hard to find
In the bark of a tree
One bullet had lodged
He had fired at least three.

There was something else
Found close to the scene
A surgical mask
That was black and dark green.

Four murders unsolved
What’s it gonna take?
This one at the park
Not far from the lake.

So lucky to find 
Some trace DNA
Might just be enough
To put him away.

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Image by Purdue Global. Google.