Bullets into Bells

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

By Lily Connolly I see the students of my generation frazzled by fears of being shot in classrooms, +++++++++marching through urban streets during third period, writing funeral scripts+++++++++at lunchtime, Life-centered minors laying their friends to rest between political rallies and soccer practice, Feverish futurists trying to rewrite ancient scripture to prevent radioactive equipment +++++++++from taking … More ROAR

By Mary McCoy An overwhelming sound rings… It’s the static on the PA. Expecting some sort of dismissal for some student, I stop listening. But the PA sounds once more. “We are under lockdown, This is not a drill.” “Ya sure!” I joke to my friends. We lock the door, turn off the lights, and … More Sound Rings

By Phyllis Meshulam A morning dawns, barely, with fringes of rain along the well-worn path to the daily paper. She is regulated by her body’s clock, still on Eastern time, as Melissa listens to the drops dribble and splat. Being home from her trip, it’s necessary to re-enter the daily routine, to plan her lessons, … More Infringed  

By Ann Gustavson At least it wasn’t in a school, I think as I stand up and Walk to the window in my classroom. But how is this an okay thought? At least. How many more “at least” thoughts will I have to have? I look out at the blue Connecticut sky Trying to settle … More The Day After Thousand Oaks 

By Charles Rafferty 1. Children Could Become Maniacs (Columbine) That’s what I learned from the radio as my daughter drank her bottle. 2. Question (Sandy Hook) What kind of gun laws would we have if 26 senators died crouching in their offices while the sunlight was dazzling the pens upon their desks? 3. Why You Died on a … More Triptych