First 100 Days

The news item in the epigram was my prompt. (and a new twist on the meaning of first 100 days…a rant of sorts. Too long? Enough showing? (not telling?)

First 100 Days

             Gun-related violence is leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 19 in US: CDC 

Melodic robins sing
cardinals whistle courting calls,
the news is “pop, pop, pop”
rapid fire from war rifles
again    –   and again.

Seven dead this time,
nine-year olds and teachers
breathing one moment
pulseless the next. 

I’d rather write about
a fresh day and the chickadee-dee-dee
not the ball that lies still in the yard
bicycle idle against the porch.

I don’t want to write about
the ones who did not come home that day,
the airless abyss of parent-sobs.

I don’t want to write about
the empty desks, no graduation,
no marriage, no new inventions or cures for disease
from bright minds of these souls.  

I want to forget the congressman
and his children posing with rifles
on their Christmas card
who boast their “right to bear.”

I’d rather write about
new life, this greening morning
instead, we grieve and cannot agree
upon the rights of nine-year olds, teachers,
the fallen of 146 mass shootings –
even before spring has started.

I’d rather write about
buds feathering maples
snow drops and crocuses
pushing up through the dark.

 REVISION: from your comments: 4/17/2023

Today’s Headline - Seven dead

            Gun-related violence is leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 19 in US: CDC 

Robins sing, cardinals whistle
I hear courting calls.
On the news I hear “pop, pop, pop”
from war rifles.
The headline – Seven dead.
Nine-year olds and teachers
breathing one moment
pulseless the next.
I’d rather write about
the “dee-dee” of chickadees
not the ball that lies still in the yard
bicycle idle against the porch.
I don’t want to write about
the ones who did not come home,
the airless abyss of parent-sobs.
I don’t want to write about
empty desks, missed graduations
and weddings, undiscovered cures.
I want to forget the dad
posing his children
with rifles on a Christmas card.
I’d rather write about
the new nest on our porch
daffodils almost opened
buds feathering maples
rather than grieve
the rights of nine-year olds and teachers
even before spring has started.

ALG