Because you killed him

When you pursue another
and assume their guilt
when you let your fear drive
and drag your clarity
behind
so that it becomes
bloodied and disembodied
you have not "stood your ground".

Whether the one you pursue is
conscientious or irresponsible
warm-hearted or cruel
eats fried chicken or smokes crack
this is something 
you can never know
just by the way they move their body
just because you think "they don't look right"

Moreover
one deserves your bullet
no more than the other
for you are not God
you are not the keeper
of justice in the world
you are not in charge of
ferreting out wrong and right
by shooting to kill

What you can bring to the world
is hope
the belief
that innocence
resilience
and peace
lie within
constrained perhaps
by the fear and trembling
that mirrors your own need
to wipe out danger

What you can bring to the world
is an outstretched hand,
a willingness to question
a desire for fulfillment
of the promise:
all are created equal.