We Storm the Building

Thursday Thunk

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Each Thursday, I post some thoughts or bits of books or poetry I am working on.

—I call them “thunks.”

We Storm the Building
 
As dutiful soldiers
We march into the yard
We've trained with no weapons
Yet daily stand guard
 
We storm the building
Each morning at eight
Bulky backpacks a burden
But we’re never late
 
Our troops line the hallways
First-graders salute
Parading to classrooms
In khakis and boots
 
The clang of the lockers
Sneaker-squeaks in the hall—
Our regiment’s ready
for this Reveille call
 
We stand for the flag
Hand over heart
We pledge allegiance
And promise our part
 
The teacher our captain
Private our rank
A classroom our trench
A school desk our tank
 
We've trained for our mission
But they're on the run:
The man with the gavel
The man with the gun
 
Good soldiers take courage
When placed in harm’s way
So mourn not for us
On our memorial day
 
But weep for our mothers
Whose laughter has died
Cry for our fathers
Whose tears will not dry
 
Mourn for yourselves
And your daughters and sons
Left behind in a nation 
Of gavels and guns
 
Our hearts are still beating 
As we’re laid in the grave
The dead hearts are those
Who pledge, then betray
 
"To support and defend"
"To protect and to serve"
We storm the building
‘cause they lack the nerve
 
We kept our pledge
But theirs is undone:
The man with the gavel
The man with the gun

Marble hallways are quiet
Up on the Hill
A moment of silence
For blood that was spilled
 
But angels hear echoes
Of lockers and boots
Of laughter and high-fives
And first-grade salutes
 
Of cadets whisp’ring prayers
As they build a blockade
While Congress and Senate
Shake hands in the shade
 
Of troops taking cover
The captains our shield
We children defending
Ground others would yield
 
We pledge allegiance
Our hearts beating brave
We storm the building
And they dig the grave
 
Kerry Larson Luddy

Image from Pixabay.com.