For the Children of Beslan

a day in late summer opened like any other
for pupils and teachers alike
school-bell ringing, play ceases
into the classroom comes willing young minds
a dark shadows clings to their heels
guerrilla boots stamping
overriding school-shoes skipping
the intruders making their presence known
rounded up like cattle
the innocent bear
the wrongs of their people
children huddled close
their fear apparent
unheeded by captors
bent on death and destruction
the standoff going longer
government position getting no stronger
no food or water allowed onboard
the little ones growing weaker
outlook getting bleaker
gunfire becoming rapid
explosions send smoke signals into the air
the picture becomes clearer
grandmothers demanding answers
of police and special forces
through a sea of torrid reporters
nuclear fission separates tears
in the schoolyard children playing
in the background insurgents approaching
the cow has jumped over the moon
chalk dusters clapping
in the background gunshots licking
all fall down.