Because bullets fly at second graders by Meghan Feuk

the world is a dangerous
place to love a child

I am reckless

to want their future
above water

to not write
their identification
on their backs
in permanent ink

to tell them
from little
I will never lie to them

I’ve kept that mostly

to love
and question everything
there is something
indescribable

an invocation

let me keep them
safe