This was written during a Santa Monica Emeritus Creative Writing Class at the City of Malibu Senior Center. The class is taught by Ellen Reich.
In my dream I see a peaceful United States
And no guns, no AR-15s
Guns of war, are we at war?
Schools where students feel free and safe
No teachers carrying guns
(Never saw a gun growing up, ever)
A teacher once, I could not shoot a gun
Particularly at a 19 year old, the shooter
An unpopular thought, but he was a victim, too
You cannot invade my dream!
School teachers are overwhelmed with responsibility
It is a fact that more than half of teachers leave
School systems before one year
Too much paperwork, and too many hats to wear
And you, yes you collectively want us to
Holster a gun, not on my watch
You cannot invade my dream!
Victim of a broken system,
A system that did not protect
Parents that did not shelter
Elementary school, middle school, high school
Proper mental health support
Police department, FBI
He was only a child himself
You cannot invade my dream!
Victim of child welfare services, the shooter
Some advocated for him
Social Workers overwhelmed with their responsibilities
Not enough of them, to take care of the other
Impossible to watch out for every child in danger
Hire more, pay them well
You cannot invade my dream!
The gun shows, it is all about greed
For the sake of our children, please
In my dream you do not sell AR-15’s
Yes, all about greed, hear it
Oh, you Second Amendment keepers, not all
Some of you who need to supplement
Your power, with one gun, two guns, three guns
In my dream, I am
Protecting the children
Damn it!
Eileen Fiori