Miss Swanson
I tried.
In life I was the librarian,
A single woman,
A doer of good deeds, a helpful citizen.
Those kids were like my own.
I saw it all-
Outside the library,
A bloody scene set in the hallway.
I remember little Archie,
With those little toy guns,
Playing Cops and Robbers in the yard,
With little Cody.
Remembering Archie now
I saw him with a real gun,
Loaded,
Ready,
Four lay on the floor.
I tried to talk Archie down.
I tried;
I failed.
He was gone,
Along with sixteen others.
Sorrow seeped into my skin.
Guide that inspired this poem: