Silence in the Halls

A poem about school violence

Home away from home
with no safety net
Leaders with only knowledge
our lives left exposed.

Laughter of friends
innocent, unsuspecting
Lockers slam shut
a bang echoes hollowly.

Unbelieving eyes search
silence in the halls
Backpacks weigh heavy
a metallic click, an evil grin.

One heart steady
points and shoots prey
Screams exploding
chaos in a hallway too long.

Sulphur permeates pores
walking, aiming with ease
Heat of the gun
face of smiling revenge.

Invincible to sirens
aiming at cowering targets
Stinging bullets
shatter, fulfill dreams.

Passing freedom's door
shouts of police
Quiet finds him
under the blue sky.