Initials
April 11, 2021
By Dion O’Reilly
Once my father shot at me
from a block away. Bullets
spit at my feet, struck a mailbox,
pinged like a broken bell. … More Initials
Category: Poems
The poems posted here have been curated specifically for the website and don’t appear in the poetry anthology. If you’d like to submit a poem about gun violence in America for consideration on this site, please see our submission guidelines in the “Other Voices” drop menu.
Gun Song
March 3, 2021
By Alivia Vaughns I’m at a concert and the main singer comes on and talks about the next song and how they found a gun in their father’s sock drawer and I’m standing there in shock because apparently I’ve never listened closely to the lyrics though I should’ve known with a title like “Gun Song” … More Gun Song
A Poem for Today, Lord
February 24, 2021
By Candice Kelsey Take back the Izhmash Saigon 12-gaugesemiautomatic shotgun,the Bushmaster Model XM15-E2S .223-calibersemiautomatic rifle,the Glock 20 10mmsemiautomatic handgun, and theSig Sauer P226 9mmsemiautomatic handgun used atSandy Hook Elementary School 9 years agoand pleasebring back those 26 precious lives. About the Author: Candice Kelsey’a debut book of poetry, Still I Am Pushing, was published last … More A Poem for Today, Lord
The Right to Keep and Bear Reason
February 28, 2020
By Boyd Bauman The unimaginable became reality again. According to script, a loner from society’s fringe thrust himself into the spotlight with the usual Second Amendment props. But this time, it was the aftermath that shocked a nation. What was it cracked the jade of American conscience? What was it made the leader of the … More The Right to Keep and Bear Reason
Words from a Student
January 26, 2020
By Austin Davis All the kids are picking flowers but they wouldn’t dare plant them. It’s too late in the day for beauty to grow from nothing. There’s not nearly enough time before the bullets will start to rain like words of hate on a swing set and the class will have to count the … More Words from a Student
Deer Season
January 18, 2020
By Elizabeth Cohen Early Bow fire-spiced wind, shadow paths distant reports shudder and holler out the valley news what is it about autumn the spilled mustard light buck droppings littering the scape Crossbow over the loon hills they find the shy ones hiding Youth hunt chewing gum, boot crunch wrinkle wrappers untethered sunrise … More Deer Season
We the Grieving
January 13, 2020
By Linda Eve Diamond We the Grieving hold candlelight vigils, voices and moments of silence spinning through darkness—as gun deaths mount and children practice active shooter drills We the Tired Masses petition, speak, write and sing to the choir, cry and shout into videos, microphones, megaphones mementos, stuffed bears and pillows We the Calculated Risks … More We the Grieving
A Guide to Guns for Fun
December 31, 2019
By Margaret Koger Families that shoot together rock. Your first gun could have been a gift from Grandpa. Family heirloom guns should be hung over the fireplace. Boys and girls will love mini-model birthday guns. Five Alive! Pick one with a fun name: Cricket Savage Rascal Scout. You give a kid a gun and teach the … More A Guide to Guns for Fun
The Plan
December 21, 2019
By Adam Grabowski I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose fire away, fire away. Titanium — David Guetta ft. Sia I want to be bulletproof, she says, from the … More The Plan
This is America
September 16, 2019
By Hope Gast About the Author Hope Gast is a junior Chemistry major at the University of Pittsburgh. This erasure poem was written using an article on the NRA’s website, “10 Reasons to Own an AR-15” as the source.
