I wrote this in 1998 using a form I was experimenting with
in which I created a character and then imagined how he/she 
would write the poem.  

About the author:

The poet's name is Douglas Montoya Ellis II, 16, a high school junior.  
Test scores show he is a very bright boy but his grades are, at best, average.  
He has been distracted and missed considerable school because of psychological 
and conduct problems.  He has had several encounters with the juvenile 
authorities. Douglas' disturbance developed at age seven shortly after his 
father, also named Douglas, was killed by a random drive-by gunshot. 
His stepmother Maria Montoya raised him alone.  She did not remarry and she 
had no other children. In spite of her Mexican Catholic heritage she became 
a "born again" Christian out of the need to bring some certainty into her 
and her son's life and because the church community gave her aid and support. 
She had taken her son to church twice a week after his father died.  
Douglas also had gone to Christian elementary school. Lately, however, 
he was beginning to develop typical teenage doubts about Christianity. During 
his most recent lockup at juvenile hall Douglas met a poet and ex-con named 
Jimmy Santiago Baca who had come to give a poetry workshop.  From that moment 
he knew he wanted to be a poet.  Writing poetry had saved Jimmy's life and 
it would save Douglas.  He wrote this poem and sent it to Littleton, Colorado, 
to be added to the memorial in front of Columbine High School.  

They say that God is Love
That He holds us 
In the palm of
His hand.

But sometimes the back of
His hand
Comes crashing down knocking
The life out of even the
Strongest among us,
Yo no se.

They say that God is Love
But then I don't know
If that is so.

I am sure of this though:
I love you ALL
No matter what you wear.

For my heart has worn a
Trenchcoat
And my soul looked through
Dark glasses
Until I was lucky to take them off for
Love.

Was that love God's gift?
But its my gift to you.
All my love
Now and forever.

Douglas Montoya Ellis II