A First Responder's Response Poem by James Calton

I see the pain and confusion on your little face
I try to put myself in your unenviable place
From this day forward your world will change
The people surrounding you will seem very strange
The broken plastic and twisted steel
That cradles you now can't make you feel
As you did in the arms of your mother or father
Nobody could, there's no need to bother
You were spared your life and no one knows why
To look for a reason, there's no need to try
There's only one thing I can say for certain
For many years now you will feel the hurting
As I pull you from this temporary cell
And release you from the momentary hell
I pray that you are able to survive this strife
And find in your journey a meaningful life.