"Nursery Crimes & Tactical Photo Ops": The Writers' Spotlight

Nursery Crimes & Tactical Photo Ops

By: Chris Buck

Sticks and stones may break my bones
But raids and rockets shatter homes
In a solemn act of prayer
All around are falling flares

Candlelight and phosphorus might
May not show the world a struggle tonight
Standing beating, bleeding, broken, tall
Amidst the rubble of youth, adult, and old who fall

Who can raise a fist above
The photos and the film who love
To arrive a moment late,
Capture reactions, shouting hate

A flower in the barrel of a gun,
Snap a photo, now they’re done
The script it seems, will never tire
As someone is always shouting; ready, aim, fire

When will the instigators intervene
Shocked and scared at what they’ve seen
How can there be amends before this has an end
Is it waiting, somewhere else?
How long?
Until they reach that when?
How many?
Until they can comprehend?
How far?
Until they round that bend?

Do you want to have your writing published? Send us your work to get it featured and published in our Patch column! Submit work by emailing: writersspotlightpatch@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @thewritersspotlight