a moment locked,
frozen in time—
captured and
released—
frozen in time—
captured and
released—
inspiration.
it is said that
a picture is worth
a thousand words.
a picture is worth
a thousand words.
truth.
also true:
for every one
of those thousand words,
are hidden pains unseen—
for every one
of those thousand words,
are hidden pains unseen—
unanswered.
in the officer’s eyes,
we see compassion,
a human being who chose
to let humanity matter more.
we see compassion,
a human being who chose
to let humanity matter more.
in the boy?—desperation.
the need for a hug
in a world torn by hate—
in world that would rather
shoot him than give him love.
the need for a hug
in a world torn by hate—
in world that would rather
shoot him than give him love.
very real.
yet, do we see
beneath the tears,
beneath his pigment,
beneath the gravity
of that
one
beneath the tears,
beneath his pigment,
beneath the gravity
of that
one
moment?
inspired,
the world moves on,
while, day after day,
month after painful month,
he was being punished just for
the world moves on,
while, day after day,
month after painful month,
he was being punished just for
existing—
starved, beaten,
forced to beg for food
from his unwary neighbors,
forced to beg for food
from his unwary neighbors,
only to be,
some four years later,
victimized by more evil—
swept cruelly from this life
into the remorseless sea.
some four years later,
victimized by more evil—
swept cruelly from this life
into the remorseless sea.
yes,
a picture is worth
a thousand words;
a picture is worth
a thousand words;
a human life—worth far, far more.
Poet’s Note:
Written in December 2025, reflecting on Devonte Hart.
Written in December 2025, reflecting on Devonte Hart.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, January 8, 2026.
Tittu
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, January 8, 2026.
Tittu
-
Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: January 8th, 2026 08:49
- Comment from author about the poem: Some of you already heard this when I soft-released it here and shared the lyrics back in October 2025. Necromancy Sublime is now officially out and available on all major (and most minor) streaming platforms. This is part of Dark Alchemy, my forthcoming album under the project name TragicLife. Listen wherever you stream: https://open.spotify.com/track/1hq7j8OZjye2P3zATczSWT?si=76c3f8a716e64ce3
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 14
- Users favorite of this poem: Demar Desu
Offline)
Comments4
Pictures ghosts from a time lost and memories that have faded. Well captured in this poem. Nicely done Tristan
Soren, thank you for sitting with this. That phrase “ghosts from a time lost” really stayed with me. It names how images haunt us long after attention moves on, and that’s very much at the heart of this poem. I appreciate how you acknowledged the lingering presence of that moment. 🖤🕯️🙏📜
You are most welcome my friend
There's terrible punishments and torments for unrepentant murderers, especially child-murderers. There has to be justice. Eternal torments for the perpetrators.
Orchi, your words name the moral outrage this story provokes. They hold the seriousness of the crime and refuse to let its weight be reduced. Thank you for reading this, dear friend, and for your heart too. We need more people with hearts in this world. 🖤🕯️🙏📜
The harsh response is 'Let the perpetrators rot in hell'. Unfortunately, some will.
Meanwhile, to lighten things - here on Earth we're tormented by a glugging sound! heehee.
A very well written poem, with deep meaning and emotional overtones... Best regards,
Thank you, cellinic. I truly appreciate the kindness and the read. 🖤🕯️🙏📜
Was it defusing or distress brought on by desperation, or both? The gruesome end sheds little light as well; did he grab the wheel as a final act of desperation or extricate himself from the scene? The mind grows wild with imaginings. Hard hitting poem here, Tittu🙏🏻🫥👊🏻🫀
Rik, your comment honors the poem by not simplifying it. You sit with the questions, the violence, and the lack of answers without forcing resolution. That kind of engagement means a great deal to me, and I think...I hope...it honors Devonte. Thank you, dear friend. 🖤🕯️🙏📜
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