We see you on surveillance tape—
a blurry masked-up guy,
black tee shirt, cargo pants,
a jug of fuel in one hand,
a roll of toilet paper in the other—
then a soft red glow.
You’re jogging from the blaze.
We see your license plate.
Oh, sweet-faced eighteen year old boy.
Your diary: Scout out a target.
Your diary: I set a synagogue on fire.
You say that you believe I hate you.
No. I am afraid of you.
Last century, my people burned,
just flimsy flesh.
Look up and see
the smoky contrails of their souls.
But fire setter, everybody knows
the tablets of the law
are made of stone.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/15/us/austin-synagogue-fire-arson.html
To the College Student Charged in Arson at Texas Synagogue
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