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Clip The Claws

Ought we scold the sapling: “grow thicker bark!”
As the axe is actively hewing its mark?

Why, when our children are hunted here,
Do we cage their laughter and hand them fear?


Bolt the doors! Draw curtains tight!
turn the daylight into night!

Whisper soft: be small, be still,
Cry quieter! It’s “just” a drill!

Until it’s not. 

Again and again we ask the fragile to bend
rather than burden the ones who impend.

Into the shadows you shrink the child

While the shadow’s arsenal grows more wild.

The threat won’t leave.

The axe won’t tire.
The forest burns down. 

We put the wrong feet to the fire

Safety’s not silence.
Protection’s not gauze.
Stop clipping wings.
clip the claws!


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