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Some Children Won'T Be Around For Christmas

Some children won’t be around this Christmas
Their families still locked in the throes of grief
The holiday season will continue with briskness
But they’ll find no solace, no respite, no relief.

Their families still locked in the throes of grief
From the dreadful day their kids were gunned down
But they’ll find no solace, no respite, no relief,
When evil in a deranged mind and a gun came to town.

From the dreadful day their kids were gunned down
In a schoolhouse everyone thought was secure,
When evil in a deranged mind and a gun came to town
While "those in the know" cannot settle on a cure.

In a schoolhouse everyone thought was secure
The gunman fired his weapon, taking careful aim
While those in the know cannot settle on a cure,
Is it the deranged mind? Or, the gun to blame?

The gunman fired his weapon, taking careful aim
Blasting away at innocent children for no reason
Is it the deranged mind or the gun to blame?
We hope it isn’t repeated this holiday season.

Blasting away at innocent children for no reason,
The holiday season will continue with briskness
We hope it isn’t repeated this holiday season,
Some children won’t be around this Christmas.

Written December 5, 2022
[in remembrance of Sandy Hook
and other communities who
suffered the loss of children
at the hands of a deranged mind
with a gun.]

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 12/6/2022 11:05:00 PM This was so horrific, I still have nightmares "When evil in a deranged mind and a gun came to town." so horrible! Login to Reply

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/5/2022 11:50:00 AM Christmas for those parents who lost their children in such a horrific way will never again be truly happy, every holiday they'll be reminded of those terrible events. I can't imagine for a minute what they're going through, I don't think I'd ever get over it. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2022 1:23:00 PM Oh, I know I wouldn't. I've never lost a child and still I grieve for those parents who've lost their children in these random shootings we're experiencing here in the states.

Steven Young Date: 12/5/2022 10:40:00 AM You know, it's not the deranged mind, nor the gun. It's a society that believes anyone and everyone should have one, or a hundred--even better. Guns have become more of an extension of the ego, than they are "arms" Not just any idiot should have them, but that's not what we as society believe, even after all the horrific tragedy we've been through. It sickens my heart. Great poem and great question, Milton. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2022 11:03:00 AM Yep, I must agree with you. There's something drastically wrong in our society. I, too, am sickened. Thanks for responding and for your fine, well-thought-out comment, Steven.

Victor Buhagiar Date: 12/5/2022 9:20:00 AM Perfect pantoum. So sad that people shoot just for the fun of it. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2022 9:56:00 AM Tragic when they do it with murderous intentions, especially against innocent, vulnerable children. Thank you for liking my pantoum. I really enjoy this form.