Poem: A Light for Deshon

Poem: A Light for Deshon

Deshon Johnson Memorial Plaque Lights Up Bloomfield Corner At Night In Honor Of A Remarkable Young Man

 Deshon Johnson Memorial Plaque Lights Up Bloomfield Corner At Night  In Honor Of A Remarkable Young Man

Deshon Johnson Memorial Plaque Lights Up Bloomfield Corner in Honor of a Remarkable Young Man

In Bloomfield, New Jersey, a poignant tribute to Deshon Johnson now lights up the corner of Broad Street and Bloomfield Avenue, where a tragic event took place. Deshon’s life was brutally cut short when a New Jersey Transit bus, driven by a Coach USA operator, ran him over twice before dragging him across the Bay Avenue bridge.

To honor this remarkable young man and the enduring love of his mother, a memorial plaque and a "Tree of Life" were dedicated at the site of the collision. The memorial serves as a beautiful reminder of Deshon’s life, his bright spirit, and the profound impact he had on those around him.

Although the plaque and tree cannot bring Deshon back, they stand as a lasting symbol of the pain his mother continues to carry and the hope that such tragedies will never be forgotten. The illuminated corner at night brings a sense of quiet reverence to the community, ensuring that Deshon’s memory lives on.

This memorial is a reminder to all who pass by of the tragic events that occurred but also of the importance of remembering those we’ve lost, honoring their lives, and striving for a future where such heartache is prevented.

 Poem by Naomi Johnson

A Light for Deshon

At Broad and Bay in Bloomfield, a beacon glows,

Where shadows whisper of hearts’ deep woes.

A plaque, a tree, a mother’s care,

Her love eternal, shining there.

Deshon’s smile, now etched in stone,

A handsome soul, forever known.

But the world grew brittle, cold, and gray,

When fate so cruel took him away.

A bus, unyielding, stole his breath,

Left a bridge to mark his death.

Twice it struck, then dragged him far,

Turning bright dreams into scars.

Yet from this pain, a light does rise,

A tree of life, beneath night skies.

It cannot bring him back, it's true,

But keeps his memory fresh and new.

A mother’s love, a boundless flame,

Each leaf and glow speaks his name.

Deshon lives on, in hearts that grieve,

A radiant spirit, never to leave.

So at the corner, let us pause,

And honor him, and all he was.

For though the world may move too fast,

This light ensures his love will last.