but would not die

i was a gentleman
standing on the street corner
minding the store
at a quarter past four
when black-masked men stormed the door
disturbing everyone with their extreme hate
and it was too late
for several who went to the floor
automatic rifles had already begun to roar
dictating death
cartoonists who once penciled in lines
fell to the two Muslim gunmen who drew bright red
and calmly fled
before they in turn were killed by French policemen
in Paris, the magazine Charlie Hebdo bled
for what was portrayed not for what was said
yet freedom of speech will not die
and any sane person can understand why.