Hi. This is poem I wrote a while ago, a tribute to those lost in school shootings.

I understand this is a sensitive topic, so I wanted to give a warning beforehand.

May all their beautiful souls rest in peace.

The Sweet Songbird

The air outside the room was thick.
The bustle inside, the kids were ecstatic.

Their first day back, lots more to unfold.
What they believed was a lifetime guiding their souls.

Then at that moment, the room switched black. Matching the hazy morning sky out the class.

Some looked to the adult, some acted alone. Some hiding behind their bag or switching off their phone.

A sweet sound outside, covered by sudden blasts.

A small bird outside watching in from the grass

The woman in charge ran for the door, yet retreated back down, and then I was sure

It was the common occurrence that happened here in America.
All the young children filled with unsure hysteria.

As the window on their door grew dark with a shadow, the teacher sat below, her face ridden with harrow

Her finger formed a shush in front of her lips. The children nodded, following her tips.

Until a young one scrambled for cover in another corner, activating the lights which seemed brighter than ever.

A beacon for the one who was there for reckoning. They turned back to the door, and stood there threatening.

The hall outside the room was loud, with bullets. And a sweet songbird broke the violence, with chirrups.

Until they fired through the glass, shattering.

The songbird tried its best and kept chattering.

Bringing whatever comfort it could for the children, trying to fight the horrors of the gunman.

It was too late for the sweet song, the horror was there, and a second sweet songbird joined the grass next to her.

Soon a few more, tweeting in chorus.

In an effort for the beautiful sounds to restore us.

The horror was over, but the effects of a lifetime set in stone.

So many lives lost, children who will never return home.

Only they would return somewhere, next to me.

As I was the sweet songbird, you see.

I was lost in a horror as such as this, and attempt to bring comfort to those experiencing it.

And now I have company, the ones who we lost here.

We will all fly away into the clouds, without fear.