For the hostages killed in Beslan, September 2004
 
I had the misconception
That having the gift of reflection
and charged with their protection,
our kind would not kill children.
That along with evolution,
We shared a resolution,
To raise the young,
not kill them.
I thought we had agreed
To respond well to their need
And teach, clothe, and feed,
And gently touch our children.
 
“Why did they shoot Tasha, Pappa?”
“They hate us, little Alexi.”
“They hate Tasha?”
“Yes.”
“Why?  Tasha’s a good girl.”
“Yes …she was.”
“I hate them father.”
“Yes. Hate them, yes.”
 
It was my mistake, I see.
We never did decide
to refuse to use
as political tools
the children of the world—
or if we did, we’ve forgotten.
as we will forget Tasha--
all of the dead children
become old news,
only old news.