for Lauri Carleton

Mag.pi is the name of her boutique

in Cedar Glen, California,

small business outside San Bernardino.

This fashionista studied Fashion in Pasadena and worked fifteen years for Kenneth Cole.

 

Because she hung rainbows

vibrant colors like the plush toys.

I played with in the 80s.

 

Lauri loved hard

a mother of nine.
She nurtured and protected

those she cared about.

This giving heart organized a co-op

gave out free food and supplies

during a blizzard.

 

Because she hung rainbows

her property and flags damaged,

but not her spirit and support.

This woman laughed through her smiles.

 

Because she hung rainbows

an angry culprit with a gun

took her life stained her flags

with hatred.

Now a community mourns

with “acts of kindness”

being done in her memory.

Children without a mother

husband without a wife

a business without an owner

all because she hung rainbows.