I’m Done

By Guest Blogger-Poet Jackson Dean

I’m done;

Two weeks ago, 14 teens and 3 adults were killed at Stoneman Douglas High School by a young man with an AR-15.

I’m done;

Parents, husbands, and wives have to face the fact that the one they love most will never return to them.

I’m done;

Instead of honoring the victims and attempting to make much needed change, our President tweets about how it was the students’ fault for not saying something before the attack occurred.

I’m done;

Young survivors of the school shooting, who have become outright protestors of gun control, are demanding change and have received death threats.

I’m done;

Instead of reforming gun control, and preventing school shootings in the future, Congress members have only sent “thoughts and prayers.”

I’m done;

“Thoughts and prayers” have been sent to every recent school shooting. No action is taken. Things go silent; and then the next shooting occurs.

I’m done;

I’ve already written one poem about a shooting this year. It’s becoming more and more commonplace, and less riveting to write these poems.

 I’m done;

My subtleties and nuances that I once used to mask the message of these shootings have run dry.

I’m done;

I am sad, confused, and angry.

I’m done;

Moreover, I am scared. Scared for my life.

I’m done;

I am terrified that I will become a statistic, just like the 17 victims.

I’m done;

And you should be too.

Editor: Claire Jenkins