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Gun Violence and the Silent Classrooms
A Day That Never Leaves the Classroom
By Tim CarmichaelPublished 4 months ago • 1 min read
Photo by Chip Vincent on Unsplash
Shots tear through the hallway.
Kids drop to the floor,
hands over their heads,
breathing fast, shaking.
A friend doesn’t move.
Another screams,
then stops.
Blood seeps into carpet,
into uniforms,
into everything.
Teachers shout names,
but some names go unanswered.
Feet pound, doors slam,
walls catch the sound of terror.
Outside, the world keeps moving.
Inside, fear and grief fill the air.
Politicians stay silent.
No student will forget this day.
About the Creator
Tim Carmichael
Tim is an Appalachian poet and cookbook author. He writes about rural life, family, and the places he grew up around. His poetry and essays have appeared in Bloodroot and Coal Dust, his latest book.




Comments (2)
I have many fears about having kids and raising them in a society where school shootings are so commonplace is one of them. You've captured the danger and shock and fear well here.
This will always be so heartbreaking 🥺🥺