He was raised by a single mother.

She was raised by a single mother.

His father died before he was born.

His brother served in the military.

He was picked on by the kids in school

Because he couldn’t read well

Or because he had a girl’s name.

He got in fights on the streets

And grinned at the opportunity.

He sat in the back with the blacks.

Just because.

He moved from place to place.

His friend’s parents stared him down when he came over.

He stayed up late in the libraries

He sampled the world’s literature.
He connived with the infamous.

He bought a gun with his friends.

He learned how to use it.

He tried his hand at joining the Marines

But wasn’t seventeen at the time.

He was grilled by the public.

He thought he was doing the right thing.

He shot a President in the head.

And was later redeemed in the face of a jury.