Yesterday was hard.
Two students
choose to bring weapons
to school —
knives,
large, steely, intimidating.
At fourteen
morning decisions should include:
what to wear?
bus or walk?
buy or bring lunch?
sports or friends after school?
At fourteen
spring eyes should be focused
toward high school
on the horizon.
At fourteen
the blush of romance
or the drama of friendship
make sense.
But,
at fourteen
weapons
should be the farthest thing
from the morning equation.
Where have we gone wrong?
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Oh so sad! a good poem but could not hit like. There is nothing to like about 14 year olds and weapons. Hope all can be turned around for them.
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I’m so sorry this happened. Your last question is a good one. I wish I had answers. I hope today is better. Thank you for sharing.
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It is a terrible thing and I hate that it is part of your day and your work. The one child I personally know who took a knife to school did it because they were threatened. I felt more sympathy after knowing that.
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… I also wanted to note your craft. Your “At fourteen” openings to verses was a powerful use of repetition. And I realized on second reading how your title, poor choices, reflects on the student. But your ending turns your reflection back to us.
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I love this poem’s form and craft, but hate the reality of this heavy topic. You pose the right question at the end.
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Your format brings life to a scary topic that we often only hear about in two minutes news stories. You bring the child into the story by reminding us of what kids should be considered with at this age. Thank you!
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Your poem is a beautiful telling of a horrible truth. Those pure choices reflect poorly on our society. 😦
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I’m sorry this happened and how powerful that you chose to write this poem about it.
I’m with Fran on the beauty of that craft move. It pulled me in!
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Your refrain of “At 14” makes the loss of innocence even more heartbreaking.
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