Gunned Down at School

This was written in 2004 after a shooting in an American school. It is so sad that three years on the words aptly fit the tragic murders of students and professors at Virginia tech.



Unknown faces are vibrant in my mind,
Lit up with ever youthful joy and fun.
Evil rises like a tide, although undefined,
Then hope and future's blasted by the gun.

Innocence replaced by sheer terror, screaming,
Helpless students succumb unto their fate;
The vivid horror of the scene still seeming
So unreal; could no one prevent, or anticipate?

How I want to join with fathers and mothers,
Reach out to touch, stand silent by their side,
Help bereaved, comfort their sisters, brothers,
Share in their anguish that can't be denied.

Helpless I am while those involved are grieving,
All that's left of much loved child is tortuous pain.
Survivors' nightmares; truth beyond believing;
Will those left behind ever find trust again?

So many lost; so many dreams now ended,
Reality so cruel; too much to stand and bear.
The lessons that will be no more attended;
Shattered lives with memories always there.

Now is not the time for any kind of blaming,
Revealing explanations should not be sought,
Those closest to the pain must be exclaiming,
Allowed freedom to express their every thought.

Through all the tears life must find a meaning;
Gaps widened closing now through deepest grief.
The caring of the nations who are now leaning
Towards strangers, know they cannot give relief

No we can stand, reach out and be united,
Feelings once more transcribed by pen,
Hate divides, destroys, and is short-sighted;
Love conquers all and in time we'll heal again.