Mom, What Picture Are You Going To Use Poem by Randy McClave

Mom, what picture are you going to use of me
When they come to my school and they don't listen to my plea,
What picture do you think that you will want to use
When from my tiny body a murderer will set my soul loose.
Will you use the picture that you took of me at the park
Or maybe the picture of me looking at the stars at dark,
Or maybe you will you use the one of me when I was first born
Because, now for me, you do mourn.
Remember mom my favorite color isn't that of red
Even though that will be my color when I lay dead,
I hope that the picture that you use of me will be with a smile
And not with hurt, and sadness, and guile.
Remember mom when my heart has stopped it's pounding
And when no more guns are seen or heard sounding
I know that you suppose to be strong and to forgive
But, mom I wanted to grow old and live.
So, mom if you don't mind have a picture of me ready
Maybe one of me holding a Bible or even my teddy,
Please find a picture of me because I know that I won't survive
Because, I don't think that I'll make it out of school alive.

Randy L. McClave