Children so misbehaved,
the cries in church and the
drawing on walls.
Or is it that they are misunderstood?
To be fair,
We were all children.
A child’s life,
So pure,
So innocent,
How could one be,
So radically ignorant.
They were only children.
Thy children walk
In church peacefully.
Not knowing reality,
could be so violent.
They were only children.
There are children dying as they pray,
Oh how sin takes them away.
Takes away the innocence.
While the coauthors of our fate listen,
To parents cries.
They were only children.
The need for justice,
is waiting now.
We shall not let,
Another child down.
We are only children.
Responsorial Psalm was inspired by the tragic shooting that occurred in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025, an event that deeply affected me and made me reflect on how often children become victims of violence they never should have known. I’ve always tried to stay as politically aware as possible, and this was my way of incorporating my knowledge and passion into my writing. My use of repetition– especially the line “They were only children– creates the rhythm of mourning and pleading in alliance to a traditional psalm. I use rhyming to create a parallel with children's books, such as Dr.Seuss, to stretch the connection of innocence and nostalgia. The short stanzas mimic the slow, reflective pacing of prayer or communal grief. My influences include the lament-style poetry found in religious texts as well as contemporary poets who write about social issues with simplicity and emotional clarity. As an author, I try to use my writing to amplify voices that are often unheard and to remind readers of our shared humanity, especially in moments of pain and loss.