In attempt to make sense out of the recent shocking news, I “borrowed” headlines from articles covering the two school shootings this week. The two events are interspersed in pantoume form so that some headlines could apply to either one.
I’m not satisfied with this poem at all; maybe these incidents aren’t supposed to make sense.

Principal targeted
In second school shooting this week
Innocence lost
Small town unaccustomed to tragedy.

In second school shooting this week
Details of attack emerge
Small town unaccustomed to tragedy
Mourns victim killed in siege.

Details of attack emerge
Another campus shooting
Mourns victim killed in siege
Teen charged in school shooting.

Another campus shooting
Hostage sent love to her family
Teen charged in school shooting
Hero prevented more deaths.

Hostage sent love to her family
Vigil held to mourn
Hero prevented more deaths
Died after shooting.

Vigil held to mourn
A victim used as a shield
Died after shooting
Critical condition.

A victim used as a shield
Principal targeted
Critical condition
Innocence lost.