Poem: While Thinking of Ashley Mattingly & A Mass Shooting in Nova Scotia

You've taught your children how to walk
And how to help little old ladies who can't
You've taught your children about
the Underground Railroad
and the charge at Iwo Jima
Have you taught them
not to rage when they're called crazy
for believing such crazy bravery?

Have you taught them what crazy looks like?
Have you taught them what to say to crazy people?
and how to listen to their stories?
To keep eye contact? How often to nod?
Have you taught them how to talk to the cops
when they go crazy, too?

Have you taught them about Dred Scott?
About Waco and Oklahoma City?
About Casey Anthony and Adolf Hitler?
Have you taught them how to howl
at the tops of their lungs?
Have you taught them ah who cares?
"hAvE yOu TaUgHt YoUr ChIlDrEn?"
Nobody cares