Thoughts: A Poem for Now

The thoughts overwhelm me, I have to speak out.
The pundits, they make me want to scream, cry, and shout.
I watched a great movie this weekend I did.
Fred Claus, no award winner, but it touched this old kid.
I cried when I watched as in typical fashion
All the people ran ’round with Christmas passion.
They focused on who’s naughty, who’s nice
Who deserves to get presents, who should be left out on the ice.
Of all those involved, of all those who led,
Not one saw the truth except for Santa’s brother Fred.
Fred saw they’re just kids caught in bad situations
Acting out as they will in all their frustrations.
There are no bad kids. They are wonderful all.
They need understanding and guidance not to fall
Into patterns destructive and hurtful and mean.
They need someone to listen, distill and to glean
The troubles they harbor, and what are their needs?
Help to see how they can change their bad deeds.
I guess Friday’s shooter didn’t see them this way.
I can’t even imagine what he’d have to say
Had he not been a coward and taken his own life
After taking so many and causing such strife.
Was he himself hurt or was he just mad?
Was he lashing out trying to make people sad?
The questions are many; the answers are sparse.
The media, as usual, turns it all into farce.
Life isn’t fair; it seems death isn’t either.
We’re here; then we’re gone. We can’t get a breather.
But while we’re still here, remember this please:
God’s loving kindness and care can help bring us some ease.