The shoes line up in somber pairs
testament to the gunshot’s flare
Silent protest on the National Mall.
Gunshot victims, one and all
Shoes, shoes, in piles of twos.

Deckembe’s pair are bright and clean,
colors of Africa, no longer seen.
Green card winner, with a brilliant dream.
Shot down by one from the old regime.
Shoes, shoes, in piles of twos.

Walter’s Nike’s oh, so white.
Big time violence in a small town fight.
First deal, last deal, went awry.
Bullets flew, one caught his eye
Shoes, shoes, in piles of twos.

There are the shoes of Karen and Evan
At least one has gone to heaven.
Lost his job and had the blues
Murder-suicide, due to booze
Shoes, shoes, in piles of twos.

Thousands die every year
No one should have had to fear
So many guns, so many lives
So many killed, who survives?
Shoes, shoes, in piles of twos.