The Newtown kids weren’t thinking of Aurora or Tucson,
They had not pledged themselves to weapons, and being kids
Could not remember Blacksburg, Columbine, Binghamton.
The earnest boys and girls of first grade
Weren’t linking patriotism to firepower and stripper clips,
Nor Christmas to domestic terror, cowardice, Congress –
Hadn’t learned the rhetoric of re-election and leadership,
Nor yet had alphabet enough to fathom madness.
Hands over their hearts, the kid-citizens
Called out justice, allegiance, republic,
The lofty thoughts of American civic prayer
Made a persuading faith by the pitch of children:
Simple witness and common sense, a mix
Of law and love, indivisible communion on a dare.
