Jackson

[TranquillityBase]

Jackson

Nineteen kids go under
the gun.  Yet, one survives
close by, who performs
a near miracle with every breath.
For a year, Jackson had one foot
firmly on the other side,
yet now he begins to grow
some hair.  And we live
in hope, with each new lock.
He knows any day could be
his last, yet he holds fast
to a dream of that first
slow dance;
that tight embrace;
that first kiss.
And he feels lucky.

And I feel the sting
of shame, that adults
now look to our children
for courage.

Hi Mark,

I think it would help me if there were a few more specifics about Jackson, e.g. "19 kids go under the gun (in Texas?), yet one survives close by".  Close by where?  How old is Jackson?  He must be a teenager I'm guessing, but that's a big spread.

Also mixed feelings about the final stanza.  It may be that phrase "sting of shame".  Maybe just "sting"?

That's all I got right now.  Thanks for the read.

Tim