Bullet Points Over Gun Points
A Poem for Humanity Dedicated to Perry, Iowa
Warranted, a moment of silence
supporting what Heaven forbids
senseless, needless acts of violence
against the nation’s youth, our kids
*
firearms unloaded in a should-be safe haven
an institution of learning for tomorrow’s leaders
children killing children, lifeline’s shaven
guns without voices silence half-readied readers
*
emotional triggers paired with trigger fingers
a babe holding a weapon does not know its full weight
bullied, shunned; gunned to salve what lingers
full realization unrealized when fired — it’s too late
*
bodies fallen, random, chosen; friend, foe, other
screams, scatters, glass shatters, humans pleading
hiding, biding time, cell phones dialing for mothers
families mourn losses; hardware continues breeding
*
blame game, finger points, social media hype
solves not one damn thing; preparing the next round
eye off the ball, more will fall; many focused on “type”
while the real offenders, guns, in backgrounds — sound
*
easily unshelved guns meet hard-shelled issues
hand grenades and adolescence, a guaranteed fail
funeral processions, communities’ tear-stained tissues
while head nods ponder the delta versus alpha male
*
yet humanity continues to fail tomorrow’s youth
America the Great sounds a bit twisted; overrated
hand on hips, official “scripts”, eye blinks at the truth
to say this country has a problem is grossly underrated
*
our hate to human ratio seeps swiftly into saturation
minus grains of salt needed in the right to bear arms
strapped and prepared hysteria, a deadly infatuation
pistols, revolvers, sold like candy; have and hold harms
*
forget at the state level, this is a nationwide crisis
we all die a little more with each free-fired round
governmental gaslighting; unlawful grips and vices
while our children lay lifeless six feet underground
*
what will it take for our officials to rise to the occasion
will anticipated law reforms crinkle and simply collect dust
time bides yet death trumps our most solemn equation
fast-forward humanity; did we keep on resisting or finally adjust
My poem, Bullet Points Over Gun Points, is dedicated to all the victims of our nation’s latest shooting that occurred yesterday morning at Iowa’s Perry High School.
A community grieves and searches for answers as more information unfolds regarding a seventeen-year-old shooter who killed a 6th-grade student and injured 5 others before suffering a lethal self-inflicted gun wound.
Although I live many miles from the incident, I was deeply affected. As an Albany, New York resident, I live in a neighborhood surrounded by countless and senseless gun violence with multiple incidents occurring only minutes from my home on Christmas morning.
I’ve seen many disturbing things on social media regarding the Perry High School incident, including false photos circulating regarding the shooter’s gender/identity, and other presumptions by the ill-informed. It’s sickening to see outrage so easily directed at people, strangers, finger-pointing, and hateful language when the bigger tragedy is that two people died needlessly.
Mental health is a real problem and no, no one should have to die, not the one suffering or the unaware, innocent victims, but easily accessible guns enable scenarios with dire consequences. Of course, more news will follow as officials delve deeper into the shootings, but all I can do is shake my head and wonder when will enough be enough.
Our children dying, our people are dying; wake up lawmakers, wake up government officials, wake up, world!
originally published on Medium 01/05/2024
About the Creator
Marilyn Glover
7x Medium boosted poet, editor, and Reiki Master who is at her best when in nature. Creating to boost humanity while often not coloring within the lines. Follow me at: https://gmarilyn009.medium.com/
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (5)
Very important message, well done.
Remarkable job! Maintain the fantastic work—congrats!
It truly gives a fascinating point of view as to what guns can do and what precautions must be initiated to help people understand the truth.
I didn't know there was another shooting. I don't understand what can be more important than protecting the lives of children. The right to bear arms seems trite compared to the right to live. Why don't the people in power care? I find it very sad, frustrating, anger-inducing and I'm not American. Thanks for sharing your words.
Truly heartbreaking.