jerry judge

Feb. 13 – Girl, 10, Killed

by falling branches
in the front yard of her home.

A Baptist says God wanted her
in heaven – we can’t question why.

An atheist says this proves no god
exists – he could not be that cruel.

All I can do is write this poem.

If this poem was my breath,
I would give her every syllable.


Jerry Judge is a social worker and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. His poetry has been published in numerous journals, and he is the author of three poetry chapbooks. A fourth chapbook, Writing at the Waffle House, has recently been accepted for publication by Pudding House and will be out soon. He is the proud father of two sons: Nick is a firefighter in Dayton, Ohio, and Devin is a freshman at Ohio State University.