columbine    sandy hook     uvalde

i am eyes i am ears self-appointed

to watch and listen for us all

though i want to look away

not hear echoes of gunshots   not see

child bodies on classroom floors.

so sad   but so far no child of mine. 

what is this to do with me   or you?

nothing   everything.

the guns drawn on

the child   on us all

i see i hear i cannot bear

thoughts and prayers the people chant,

while arms of the second amendment

reach out for more and fire   and fire

so that bodies bleed

leaving me   us   no quarter.