It has happened before
to even more
Herod decreed the slaughter
of the innocents
and every day
it is standard procedure
to stop young hearts
but today
we weep together
for the twenty
our children
at school today
eleven days before Christmas
my daughters, your sons
nearly bursting
with excitement
How much longer until Christmas?
her son his daughter
our children
wrapped
in body bags
their last day of school
police lights twinkle
hidden away in closets and attics
are the presents
that won't be opened
by those children
this year
and more guns and ammo
to thicken the darkness
and deepen the grief
each advent
we will remember
and carry this load
of grief
until He comes
again
this time
with fire