The fabric of society
Is tattered and threadbare
The richness of its colour gone
For neglectful is our care
Both apathy and animus
In tandem seals our fate
And call for cooling of this drift
As always, comes too late
Economic instability
Malaise and growing fear
A listless youth lacks hopefulness
The signs of strife are clear
On top of that you pile on greed
Unfettered hoarded wealth
The pressure insurmountable
On fraying mental health
The rumble of this short-fused breach
No longer can be silenced
And the innocent and ruinous
Are fused in senseless violence
So now the taking of a life
Becomes the default act
Defining in finality
It can’t be taken back
The ripples of this tragedy
Reach far and echo long
The backdrop of the bloom-draped box
Leaves stark the mourner’s song
Benumbed, be warned, this be our fate
Reverse course is our challenge
It’s without question our very lives
Are hanging in the balance!