Craig Heyne
Jump to screen reader version of the poem.
Yesterday, a school filled with innocent children and caring
teachers became the scene of terrible violence, hatred and evil.
Around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, police responded to reports of gunfire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in
Parkland, Florida — a great and safe community.
There, a shooter, who is now in custody, opened fire on defenseless students and teachers. He murdered 17 people and badly wounded at least 14 others.
Our entire nation, with one heavy heart, is praying for the victims and their families. To every parent, teacher, and child who is hurting so badly, we are here for you — whatever you need, whatever we can do, to ease your pain. We are all joined together as one American family, and your suffering is our burden also.
No child, no teacher, should ever be in danger in an American school. No parent should ever have to fear for their
sons and daughters when they kiss them goodbye in the morning.
Each person who was stolen from us yesterday had a full life ahead of them — a life filled with wondrous beauty and unlimited potential and promise. Each one had dreams to pursue, love to give, and talents to share with the world. And each one had a family to whom they meant everything in the world.
Today, we mourn for all of those who lost their lives. We comfort the grieving and the wounded. And we hurt for the entire community of Parkland, Florida, that is now in shock, in pain, and searching for answers.
I want to speak now directly to America’s children, especially those who feel lost,
alone, confused or even scared: I want you to know that you are never alone and you never will be. You have people who care about you, who love you, and who will do anything at all to protect you. If you need help, turn to a teacher, a family member, a local police officer, or a faith leaderr. Answer hate with love; answer cruelty with kindness.
We must also work together to create a culture in our country that embraces the dignity of life, that creates deep and meaningful human connections and that turns classmates and colleagues into friends and neighbors.
Our administration is working closely with local authorities to investigate the shooting and learn everything we can. We are committed to working with state and local leaders to help secure our schools, and tackle the difficult issue of mental health.
In times of tragedy, the bonds that sustain us are those of family, faith, community, and country. These bonds are stronger than the forces of
hatred and evil, and these bonds grow even stronger in the hours of our greatest need.
And so always, but especially today, let us hold our loved ones close, let us pray for healing and for peace, and let us come together as one nation to wipe away the tears and strive for a much better tomorrow.
Thank you. And God Bless you all. Thank you very much.
Donald Trump’s speech addressing the Parkland school shooting
Craig Heyne
Editor’s note:
This poem was created by taking a speech by Donald Trump about the Parkland school massacre and whiting out selected text creating a powerful poem from ordinary political speech. To recreate the effect of whiting out text for a screen reader, we offer this version the poem in which the whited out text has been deleted.
Yesterday, a school innocent children caring
teachers became
gunfire in
Parkland, Florida a safe community
murdered and badly wounded
Our entire nation, is praying
and your suffering is our burden
No child, no teacher No parent should ever have to fear their
goodbye in the morning.
Each person stolen yesterday
had a family to whom they meant everything in the world.
that is now in shock, in pain, and searching for answers.
to America’s children, those who feel lost
you are alone and
If you need help, turn to a
leader
work together create a country that embraces the dignity of life
Our administration is
hatred and evil,and these bonds grow even stronger in the hours of our greatest need.
And so let us pray and
strive for tomorrow.