(inspired by John Carlson’s “Cruelty”)

MLK, Jr.
once called America,
“The greatest purveyor of violence
in the world today.”
how many
more senseless deaths?
how much pain
will suffering families
have to pay?

cruelty
is the NRA
defiantly
opposing Florida’s new gun law,
marching lock step
to marshal
music
only they can hear.

cruelty
is a new generation of young
Americans living
in fear.