This poem is a tribute to 21-year old Mr. Ashok Bhattarai who was shot during the store robbery where he was working in the evening of Sept 28, 2008. He was a student at Houston Community College.

A young Nepali brother victim of crime
At 21, why the hell did death clicked the time
Far away from home, In US for education
Working as a clerk, dream of US graduation
A marvelous singer with talent to impress
A comic person with jokes to bless
He was Mr. Polite always so honest
In ecstasy yet so in our heart so nearest
Everyone always praised his personality
He is in heaven that’s the bitter reality
Brother always had that big smile
Never ever was he ever hostile
Yet a crackhead shot him to death
He did not deserve that last breath
Why did he have to be that casualty
Innocent brother faced the brutality
I hope no one gets shot by a machine gun piece
AShOK, May your soul forever rest in peace

-pRATEEK