a marriage

This poem was written in 2017-2018 in response to the Parkland School shooting.

Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
to celebrate the union
The union of the government of the United States of America
to Death.
We are gathered here today
to offer thoughts and prayers
and mandatory silence
going through the motions
offering explanations for the violence.

"Mistakes were made"
mistakes were made when you protected an amendment 
over my heart
my lungs
my brain
my life
but not just my life
you failed to protect 
your brothers
your sisters
your loved ones
your innovators
your hope
your future!
We must now remind America 
it's a school not a shooting range
Yeah, mistakes were made.

It seems every year we ignore what's on the page
the young ones
with hands clenched in fists of rage
Newtown, Pulse, Marshall County, and Parkland
how many more must die
Before a bill is on the line?
How many more days must I stretch my hands to the sky
Praying that for one day I don't die?

Now,
I know my  life ain't worth that much
I just thought it was worth more,
more than that Glock in your clutch.

So to you, the American Congress
As you sit upon your gilded thrones
watching your youth be slaughtered
without a fear in your bones

How can you watch your subjects live in fear?
Are our screams music to your ears?

But guns aren't the problem
it's the kids who hold them in their hands
with eyes that are wild and mad
so you give them access to firearms
instead of mental institution wards?

You have the right to bear arms
until your children come to harm
you have the right to hunt in season
But when the hell did children become prey for no reason?

Your silence condones the violence
as the crickets chirp upon the stage
and Society waits for change.

So I offer my thoughts and my prayers to you
To all the dead children nestled here in these pews
as we gather in harmony
to witness such a holy matrimony
Does anyone object to these two being wed?
To the American Congress with a veil upon her head?
When all these children have been left for dead
and there's a thousand words still left unsaid.