When bodies of children are
once again
strewn around the room
by an AR15
it is
once again
time
to talk to
our children
about school shootings.
So first,
gather in your home
where you do not have alters to weapons
and sit
in that chair
where you wrote messages
to your representatives
and penned checks
to lobbyists.
And remember how
you voted
each and every time
to make gun control
a central issue.
And make sure
you have plenty of time
to talk to your child
between the usual conversations
of how they are doing
checking on
their mental health.
Just like
you tune in
to the people around you.
and notice those who
struggle,
who are unhinged
and hurting.
And remember
the other day
when you argued
with a neighbor
about why having an
assault rifle
was not a right.
And maybe
you didn’t change his mind
but you’ll never
be silent.
And then you sit
holding your child
close
breathing in
their innocence.
Showing them
they are loved.
Knowing you
can’t protect them
always.
And then maybe
you say
something
like
how danger can be
anywhere
how violence can
enter their
safe spaces.
And that is why
they have to
practice
hiding
under desks.
But they will look
uncertain
uncomprehending
because
pure minds
cannot grasp
what
we
have allowed
to happen.