Innocence
We were arranged -
Criss-cross-applesauce -
On the carpet
With puzzle-piece patches,
And a television
Was wheeled in.
We watched
As far away
A wall blossoming with paint
Was ripped apart.
A chunk of it
Came to the school,
A holy thing,
And the teacher said
"There will be no more drills.
You will be safe,
Now, forever,
At history's end."
I wish
That I could speak with her,
Today, this year,
And remind her that once
She was as innocent as I.