America Land of the Fee

If this was any other country, it would make no sense
to discuss with children
what might happen if a gunman enters their classroom

But this is America
Home of the Guns that cost a fee
That take young lives with pride
Assault rifles for you and for me!
May the NRA and the violence live forever
Being a celebrity is worth it; the media is so clever
It’s not New Zealand who knew how to shut it down
Media was only allowed to say “a coward” in every town.

So the teacher thinks of the children first
And she lets them know it is okay to run.
Save yourselves! She tells them. Wanting the best for everyone.
She is in a wheelchair and does not want to slow them down.
We are carrying you! Says the youngest one, sometimes a class clown.

The teacher is stunned, that they have already discussed the possibility.
She has forgotten for a second that we live in the land of the fee.
Where the NRA and big business pays money to be in charge every day.
But she does not live in a senator’s mansion, so what can we say?

This is America, the home of the AK assault rifles.
Where we mow down little children while police wait in a hall.
Not responding to an hour of texts from children who are not four foot tall.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Wolf Avatar
June 12, 2022 at 7:01 PM
We are a nation of Davy Crocketts, Dan'l Boones, Annie Oakleys and John Waynes, Al Capones, Bonnie and Clydes, and Isaac Hayes ('Shaft') on steroids. In hindsight, what we have now was predictable, methinks.
Krutsinger Avatar
June 13, 2022 at 1:59 AM
It is sadly sad
Grinsell Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 1:56 PM
The situation with guns in America is difficult for the rest of the world to understand. Obviously politicians should act but it seems that organized greed and power is more important.
Krutsinger Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 10:56 PM
I guess so - sadly so.
Bauer Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 11:28 AM
you have expressed what so many of us feel, caren, and have done so in a very powerful poem. when they start talking about arming the teachers, it really gets my blood boiling - as if that is really a plausible solution to a problem that should be a no-brainer to fix or at least make a dent in...
Krutsinger Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 10:56 PM
I have worked for 8 principals - all 8 of them would have kicked down that door!
Hankins Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 10:34 AM
Don't even get me started, Caren, or I'll write four or five more poems about this travesty that is repeating itself in our "civilized" country.
Krutsinger Avatar
June 11, 2022 at 10:57 PM
We are Barbarians here.
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