Trees should be used for making textbooks not coffins for their readers

Kids should practice music not hiding from a shooter

When I was in fifth grade I couldn’t sleep at night

I was petrified

Thinking that when the next morning came,

I’d enter into the brick building

And walk down those tile halls,

Not knowing if I would be coming home at all.

I remember in middle school

My mother was watching the news

Sandy Hook was on the screen

I saw those poor children and I heard their screams

Their faces were stained with fear as they marched out of the building, their arms in the air

Why is it that mass shootings are something we’re expected to bear?

Politicians weep tears and tell us they care

Excuse me Senator, if you care so much why does this keep happening?

We’re stuck in a loop of redundancy, bouncing from tragedy to tragedy

We hold hands in rallies but marching can’t outrun bullets

I’m told we can’t blame the weapons, I’m tired of this bull shit

Defend your second amendment right, but know that it’s written in blood

Apologize in advance for the next flood

Of victims

For the generation of empty desks, life insurance checks, and murder suspects.

I’m tired of being scared of the education system

I tell my parents that I love them everyday

Because I don’t know how long I’ll have the opportunity to say

That

I’m sorry to the families, and friends, and classrooms smeared red

I want to say there will be no more shootings, but I’m afraid it’s not a matter of “if” but rather “when”

Nothing will change until we make the world a safer place.