Yesterday

His face haunts me in the photo as I stare
I urged him not to join but for him it was a dare.
Gang leaders spoke about the money and praise
Into my brother's head they washed this deathwish craze.
I told him of drugs and guns and pain.
He laughed at me and said I was insane.
He said he was a man and he could take the heat.
He dawned a leather jacket & walked into the street.
He'd bought a gun from a dealer to impress his gang.
Police didn't know it was empty when they saw his teasing aim.
Now they stand at my door. Guilt in their eyes
But it's not their fault; he was lured by the gang leader's lies.
My brother was killed by ignorance. The leader got away.
My brother was killed by false promises only yesterday.