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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
By B. Jackson There was a mass shooting in Gilroy, California. my favorite pit-stop on our drives down south my parents would often buy a fresh bag of cherries from a wooden fruit stand for all of us to share I remember squishing the cherries between my teeth letting the red juice soak my tongue … More skip
By Nicole Cook Bang bang I’m angry Or I’m sick Or I’m frustrated Or I’m bullied So sad Bang bang What to do? Can’t get care They’ll know I’m sick Americans are strong Americans are never weak Bang bang In the street In my bedroom At the corner store In our temples Bang bang … More BANG BANG
