It’s two the morning just after
another armed man went to school
and the streetlamp illuminates
a street at rest in America
while another day’s news
has been read and we’re ready
for the next time
another mental health problem
leaves ten people dead. The arguments
are resting now
over tradition and rights
and who should be denied a gun.
They’ll start up again in daylight
when nobody can know
who next will open fire
having been declared sane
upon purchasing a weapon
and crazy after using it.