Persistence of Memory

December 14, 2012

from Yeah, What Else?

How long will we remember

twenty dead children

and six dead adults

in a place called Sandy Hook?

Will we remember the killer

and forget the victims?

Will we sing Auld Lang Syne

and simply move on?

 

God knows we've done it before—

Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora

Name the victims?

Sorry. Can't recall.

 

Picture the well-equipped first grader:

Backpack, pencil box, ruler,

an apple for the teacher,

and a tiny Kevlar vest.

 

God help us if we forget.

 

_______