Genius...

They say he was a genius; least that is what one person-who barely knew the "terrorist" that stormed into an elementary school just the other day and opened fire-called him.  He was a normal kid.  Withdrawn.  I say, even though no one has asked, how dare anyone label him anything other than a "terrorist".  He is no genius.  I do not wish to hear about his mental problems or his social inadequacy.  It means nothing.  Not how nice his mother was, or how she always spoke to her neighbors.  That does not matter at this point.  You cannot blame the dead for the sins of their children-but something was wrong here...something was not right and in time it may come to light.  Something that triggered this rampage.  But something that was known.

But what could have been known, at a time before has no relevance now.  He was and in our history will always be a "terrorist".  Worse even than Al Qaeda, in that he took away our freedom.  Not an attack on the principles of our nation.  Not a planned confrontation by a radical leader on the integrity of our political and financial systems.  There is pain in 9/11.  Pain that will never heal.  But we sent our soldiers abroad to seek, fight, find and assassinate the mastermind behind the plot.  Bin Laden is dead.  America felt a bit safer.  Until the terrorist from within robbed us of any peace we may ever feel.

We were not looking for him...did not suspect him at all.  He walked among us; the awkward guy in the back row of class.  He is now present in our minds.  A nightmare in the midst of our dreams.  He stole our most precious gifts...and left nothing.  At Christmas.

Our children are the most prized possession in our country.  They are our future, our present, our joy.  You cannot help but smile when you look at them, hear them laugh, talk to them...children are a gift from God.  There is nothing bad in a child.  Sure, they may act out at times...talk back, and even yell and scream but they are good.  They are like sunshine-nourishing the entirety of the world around them.  We love them, teach them, guide them, nurture them but most of all we protect them.  Everyone, regardless of race, color, creed or religion should protect the children.  But at this moment...this precious moment, how do we accomplish what is unquestionably our most important task?

He took our ability.  We are handicapped by a fear that we cannot even put into words.  Weakened by a sense of helplessness that now plagues our society.  I am scared.  There is no relief to this fear.  Many will call on faith, others on processes and systems to prevent future events...but the fact is the damage has been done.  We will never be the same.  Terrorism is not often defined simply by the act, but the effects of the act on the human being...the human mind, for the future.  How many parents will ever feel safe, dropping their kids off at school again?

He took away our sunshine.  He is no genius.  No misunderstood boy, or man.  He was, is and will always be a "terrorist".  I will not praise or endorse any semblance of compassion for this person.  We are broken by this event.  A nation that prides itself on self-defense, and military might, has been crippled by a terrorist of our own making...able to wield weapons found in the hands of our military-who defend the nation-legally.  Right to bear arms?  However, this terrorist used these weapons on our babies.  He took our future and bludgeoned it.  It is no longer recognizable.  Tomorrow is a foreign concept.

I do not care to know who he was.  I do not care how he felt.  I care to know the teachers, the principal and the children...what were their dreams?  What did they eat for breakfast?  Who was their best friend?  I do not want to know anything about his family, his past, his issues.  He doesn't matter anymore.  Just simply call him what he is.  A terrorist.  He took away our sunshine...and there are nothing but dark days ahead.

You are my sunshine,
my only sunshine
You make me happy
when skies are gray...
You don't know just how much
I love you
Please don't take
My sunshine...
away

It all changed in an instant
and in an instant we will never be the same
a nation wears pain at half-mast
on this day and many more
on bended knee millions ask
what was this for?
why...sounds so hollow when no answers
follow
no understanding found for all that is seen
at the scene
is...loss
beginnings broken into
26 pieces...
tiny pieces scattered across the room like
toys after morning play
no little ones to put them away
they are all sleeping
to awake no more
and today there is rain from a cloudless sky
for each life a thousand tears will fall
preparing the earth to receive
her children
she wraps them in a deep sadness
and whispers to the moon to hide the sun
if only for a moment
and there is silence amongst the people
their joy eclipsed by the darkness
of the present
why...sounds so distant when the light
is non-existent
questions fill the air,
forgiveness is buried with the young
eyes water as the thought of tomorrow
comes
close your eyes...
and try remembering the sun
close your eyes
remembering
the sun

You are my sunshine,

my only sunshine

You make me happy 

when skies are gray...

You don't know just how much

I love you

Please don't take

My sunshine...

away