My niece and I were painting pottery near Covenant Presbyterian when I heard about the school shooting. I have never felt as helpless and shaken as I did remembering that this little girl is constantly surrounded by the threat of gun violence. Our community is still reeling with fear and grief as we mourn those lost and a society that privileges weapons over children.

Whitney Rio-Ross is the author of the chapbook Birthmarks (Wipf & Stock) and poetry editor for Fare Forward. Her poetry has appeared in Psaltery & Lyre, Susurrus, New South, America Magazine, and elsewhere. She lives with her family in Nashville, TN.

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