Poets Respond to the Uvalde Tragedy, Part 11
IT HAPPENED
By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF
It happened in the land of South Texas
In the quaint town of Uvalde
19 children died in one day
in one hour, in one minute
in one classroom
Spelling and multiplications on their minds,
Mowed down by an AR-15
Death came fast and angry
911 did not call them back
They fell under the desks
Tasted the blood of a friend
Grabbed a chair leg…
It happened in the land of South Texas
In the quaint town of Uvalde
While armed protectors massed in the school’s hall
Waiting for a key
To an unlocked door.
They were the same age
With same dreams of summer fun and play
Boys and Girls going places
Now ushered across the threshold of eternity
On the same day.
It happened in the land of South Texas
In the quaint town of Uvalde…
Can we even pray?
