this is for the lives that
would have been,
that could have been,
that should have been--
this is for the ones
that ended on those days.
this is for the smiles,
the bright eyes and the big backpacks.
this is for the kids,
those little ones,
those big ones,
those ones just in between
those ones whose lives were ruined
by the horned people in the streets.
they lived, they thrived
and some person came along
and they died.
but I
I'm here to honor the children
because no matter what those
people, convicts, murderers
try to say,
they mattered.
they MATTER.
because GOD loves them
because I love them
because you love them
because we love them
they MATTER.
NO ONE
can say
"these children don't matter."
NO ONE
can bring a musket to
a place of learning,
and laughter,
and that friendly love,
and say
"these children are worthless,
"these children are terrible,
"these children don't deserve to exist."
because they DO
because a child is a blessing,
because it takes a village to raise a child
because the world needs to step in
because we all need to step in
because we need to take that extra mile
and protect them.
who loves them more,
who loved them more,
who will always love them more
than Jesus?
they mattered.
they MATTER.
and no matter what happens-
if the demon in the hall
or the Devil with his gun
comes back,
and tells them that they deserve to die,
they
still
MATTER.
they will always matter.
***
This was inspired by the Top Story BANG BANG//: Chapter 1) Roll-Call. To be honest, since I'm still in school, this story more than scared me. I was unable to read the rest of it through because of how terrified I was.
I decided to honor every child whose life was lost with this free-verse. I tried to make it rhyme, at least a little bit, but I cannot rhyme. I could only emphasize that one big word: MATTER. Even when those demons tell us that we don't matter, we MATTER. Those children MATTER. They will always, always MATTER.
God bless. I hope this poem reaches many hearts.
About the Creator
Chloe
:/
ahoy!
inactive.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Where's the Glory?
In breaking news, rehabilitated Republican Senator Johnnie Johnson (Pronouns: HE, HIM, HIS) called a press conference from the Men’s room of the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, Concourse B, across from the Ignatius Reilly’s Lucky Dog stand. The Senator had just returned from a sexual reorientation rehabilitation program in Memphis, TN after being publically disgraced at a Buckee’s Truckstop restroom soliciting sex from an undercover cop three months ago. He is a founding member of the Reformed Christians for Christ, a conservative, pro-family and ex-gay advocacy group. In the spirit of being reborn, Senator Johnson invited reporters to marvel at his plans for a major remodeling of airport bathrooms.
By Cathy Schieffelin7 days ago in Humor
Comments (9)
Brilliantly written. It also made me think of the children that never got to be born.
I have a small one in school and I worry about this every day she goes.
Excellent work
Wow. Ninth grader! Phenomenal. Wish I had had this presence of mind at such a young age. Loved what you did here, Chloe, made all the more poignant by your postscript. Keep that writing going.
So talented. Beautifully written with a poignant message 🤍
Beautifully raw. You did an excellent job honouring the lives that have been lost. You should be proud!
Oh I'm so sorry you were not unable to read the rest of that story. Only the beginning is violent. The balance two thirds was comedy. Your poem was so emotional!
Very touching tribute to all the lives lost via such madness. I like how you crossed out the words/lines for certain things related to the shooter. Keep writing (and reading); you show a lot of promise. And don't let the thought of such things scare you: to fear death is to die a thousand times. Like Frank Herbert says in Dune, "Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me."
Wow. Not only am I touched and flattered to the point it brought tears to my eyes, but I am seriously impressed by your skills for being so young. You are already more gifted with words than many adults. Really well written, moving to the core.