15 Columbine Flowers

     One flower for the girl
who wrote a story about others
and her love and respect for their rights
One flower for the girl
who said yes to the question
that caused her death but rekindled life
One flower for the man
who asked a child to hold up
a picture of his family while he died
One flower for the boy
who risked his short life
to help others reach their safety
One flower for the boy
who didn’t make it out
but died as a distraction to save others
One flower for the boy
who could not run away
or yell for help to save his own life
One flower for the boy
who had a sweet heart
but was made with a dark shade of skin
One flower for the girl
who was trapped
by herself in a tiny bathroom stall
One flower for the teacher
who warned the school
in exchange for his young life
One flower for the boy
who hid his sister
and friends to save their lives
One flower for the brother of a girl
who threw himself in front
to save his least favorite teacher
One flower for the girl
who tried to help
these young men realize their mistakes
One flower for the boy
who picked up the guns
after the suicide to keep everyone safe
Two flowers for the boys
who made an unchangeable mistake
that cost them everything