ralph

Ralph Antoine Raphael was 25 years old when he was shot in the back and killed while attending a party in Chicago. His murderer was never identified.

A teaching assistant, coach, athlete, and mentor, students of the Oakton School District and thousands of Evanston, Illinois community members, friends, and family continue to mourn his loss. Bullet Kills Evanston 'Role Model', Chicago Tribune (July 15, 1991)

Goodbye, Dear Friend.

To see you smile

Just one more time

To hear your laughter

Just one more time

To feel your kiss

Just one more time

To touch your heart

Like you've touched mine

To begin again

To never end

I'll love you always,

Kate

Perfumed Memories

I see the friend I met twelve years ago

in every soccer game

in every player.

Ribbon in the Sky now sings our voices

echoing an old duet.

Gentle breezes carry perfumed memories of his embrace,

twice swollen with kisses

seven years ago.

I still feel him easing broken hearts,

telling me he loved me with language louder than words ...

... words I wished to say ...

... words I wish he'd heard ....

Two years ago

The bullet shredded my heart with his

... the pain

alive with every backfire,

with every bang,

with every love

that slips

away.

4th of July

Fire rains down

From the Holocaust of Heaven

Searing foe and friend

Before the dying of my eyes

And you cheer the sparkle

Of the flames that consume me

Touch the urn that binds me

Blinds me

Find me!

While you laugh, I cry

You take my hand

And smile at the sky

The boom thrills you

The fear chills you

It never kills you

Mortars sever freedom

In the assault on Heaven

Halving foe and friend

Before breath inhales life's prime

I cheer the sparkle

Of the Life that consumes you

While I laugh, you cry

I take your hand

And smile at the sky