(Note: This is a very touchy subject, and all respect goes to family and friends of the victims, I sincerely hope and pray that something will be done about these lives being lost. I really want to help by spreading awareness of the victims and trying to tell a little bit of their stories as best as I could find out about them. I know it's not a super big window as to who these people were, and only those who were close with them could tell us that. But all the victims sounded like wonderful people, and not a single one of them deserved to go in such an unfair way. Each individual had so much ahead of them, and they were all so different and unique. And again, all families and friends of the victims have my sympathy and respect.)
Seventeen
The lives that were taken
The number of lives lost
was seventeen
All lives with equal potential
All lives full of dreams
All lives that could have affected you
Seventeen lives
Alyssa Alhadeff
Only 14 years of age
A soccer player
One day could have played in the NSL
Scott Beigel, a teacher
Age 35, so many years lost
Teaching geography for money
But teaching how to be human for free
Martin Duque Anguiano
Also only 14 years
A tragic loss from your family
Martin, your big brother misses you
Nicholas Dworet
17, one last year of school
Getting ready for university
Invited to join the swim team
Aaron Feis
Another young teacher in his 30's
37, assistant football coach
Put the kids before himself
Jaime Guttenberg
So many kids as young as 14
So much life ahead
Families being devastated by loss
Chris Hixon
49, almost the “halfway point” of life
Athletic director and wrestling coach
However, his heart belongs to the kids
Luke Hoyer
Just 15 years old
Family mourning together
Family helping each other overcome
Cara Loughran
14 is a very reoccurring number
She was a dancer
One of the most beautiful arts
Gina Montalto
14 years old
A winter guard for the marching band
Also an artist, always with a sketchbook
Alaina Petty
14 years old
Always volunteering to help
A servant to those in need
Meadow Pollack
18 years old
If only a year older she would be safe
Her best friend wishes she was safe
Joaquin Oliver
17 years old, not from from adulthood
A fan of sports and hip hop
Loving towards his girlfriend
Helena Ramsay
Also 17 years old
Said to be brilliant
With a soft, warm atmosphere
Alex Schachter
One last 14 year old
Playing trombone
A great musician in the making
Carmen Schentrup
16 years of age
A National Merit Scholar Semifinalist
Definitely full of potential to be great
Peter Wang
15 years old, too young
A future culinary artist
Could have made one of your next meals
Can't you see?
Open your eyes
Seventeen
Seventeen lives were lost
Be nicer you say?
Don't take away the guns?
Sit the kids back down?
Let the adults take care of it?
Show me the adults
Show me that guns are harmless
Show me proper security
Show me that your leader cares
Let the students stand for themselves
Let the students grieve over their lost friends
Let the students make a statement
Let the students be safe
One of them may had been your future doctor
Your next dentist
Your next housekeeper to clean up after your lazy rear-end
Your next President for goodness sake
You don't care unless it's about you
You don't care until it's your child
You don't care until it's your family
You don't care
Seventeen
The number of lives lost
Seventeen
Lives of those you don't care
About the Creator
Donia Schenkels
Just a poet that knows it doesn’t rhyme with poet.
I like to focus on our modern world in my writing, because let’s face it, if schools want to teach poetry, make it useful and understandable to today’s students. Language changes with time.
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