How many more?

by Shadonneia Patrick-White

In a world where laughter should echo, play,

Young boys are lured, led astray.

One, two, three, then the gun goes off, boom,

A bullet's song, a mother's cry, Another life taken, a future consumed.

How would you feel if it were you or your family,

Taken in cold blood, lost to this calamity?

Shadows cast by the gun's cold blast,

Stealing away the day's warm light, so fast.

A life-ending trend, a deadly game,

Played in the name of power and fame.

But can't you see the pain, the strife?

The cost is far too high - it's life.

Listen close, for there's a way,

To bring back the light, keep the dark at bay.

Education, love, understanding, and care,

A community's strength, a burden we share.

To end this cycle, we must unite,

Replace the fear with knowledge's bright light.

For every child, there is a chance to grow,

In a world where peace is all they know.

Isn't that the world we want to show?

So, let's trade gunshots for graduation cheers,

Replace the violence with dreams and careers.

In this fight, we're all together,

For a world where peace is the only contender.

Can we make that our endeavour?

Gun violence affects us all, you see,

Education and opportunities are key,

Invest in their future, nurture their growth,

Empower the youth to be all they can be,

and this is how violence is eradicated!