"The Cost of a Weapon"
For National Poetry Month, Brooklyn writer, Alāna Rader, asks a sobering question
At Armed With Reason we try to offer a wide variety of articles from across the gun violence prevention movement — from myth-busting factsheets to survivor stories, informative podcasts to legislative and social solutions, academic studies to the often dour, everyday gun violence news.
April is National Poetry Month. As with any walk of life, poetry offers a way to step back and see any situation — even the the destructive and frustrating situation of America’s gun violence epidemic — from a more reflective angle.
Today’s poem comes from Alāna Rader, a Brooklyn-based playwright, poet, actor, and director who believes in highlighting the margins and championing the underdog. Some of her poetry can be found at Review Americana, Fleas on the Dog, Prolific Press and Fresh Words.
The Cost of a Weapon
By: Alāna Rader
In this country,
these divided states,
in a state of panic.
We are losing the war
while some line their pockets
and the rockets red glare
cannot drown out the noise
of angry boys.
Beware and be wary of
thoughts and prayers
all for the right to bear arms —
at what cost?
We cannot measure those we’ve lost
too soon
beyond senseless
these defenseless lives
casualties for their business
as we lose those
we held in our arms
only moments ago.
While empty desks
and empty beds
are filled with empty promises
and our heads ache
while we bear witness to another tragedy.
A school should be a sanctuary
where we fill up our minds
with knowledge necessary
to build understanding
beyond the ordinary
and tear down hate.
Can our hearts hold this hurt,
can we contain this pain?
When will the gun go off again?
How can we stop this greed?
With vultures circling,
like lions in a den
When all I want to do with my arms —
is embrace
and protect
and love.
