Tearing

I can't stop tearing up
at the sight of stats
that mean children
that mean empty arms
and futures shot
down by gunfire
in the streets
the bedroom
the school cafeteria
and one, two, three, 85% of all children of the world
killed by gunfire was killed
in the USA
semi-automatic
tattered dreams
rapid fire
last chances
gone

and the debate is
whether you get to die
will 10 bullets in you
or from the disdain
of law makers
who'd rather protect
the gun.

© Valerie Bridgeman
January 9, 2013