the poetry of a college student

another year, another threat

you shouldn't have a say in gun control 

until you have to text all of your friends 

and make sure that they are ok 

until you have to let your mom know 

that you're fine, in case she happens to see the news 

until you wonder what would've happened 

if you hadn't stayed home that day to catch the game 

until you listen to the police scanner and hear the possibility 

that the shooter is headed your way 

and that another is headed to the library 

where you're roommate is currently barricaded in 

you shouldn't get to pocket money and push legislation 

against gun control and reform 

when you're essentially behind bulletproof glass 

you don't get shot at at elementary schools, at movie theaters 

at concerts, at mosques, at high schools, at college campuses 

i shouldn't be afraid to go to class 

i shouldn't have to look around my gigantic lecture hall 

and think about what I would do if someone came in with a gun 

because there would be no where to go 

i shouldn't ever have to make that call to my mom 

because she told me, i could've been crying 

and saying goodbye

mothers should be able to send their kids to school, 

to the movies, to a religious building 

without wondering if they'd get that call 

all because some people value their guns over human lives