America is weeping for her children
From an unknown place
In our shattered souls
Where there is no consolation
Or hiding from our feelings.

America is weeping for her children
And their shattered bodies and
Families
Who cannot dig graves
Deep enough to bury their sorrow.

America is weeping for her children
Who innocence was shredded
Like fresh branches in a wood
chipper
Loudly destroying every leaf and
branch of life.

America is weeping for her children
And their vanished silly moments
And unexpected hugs and tears
and pictures of hearts
Now shattered into a million shards
of pain

America is weeping for her children
And cannot think about all the
tomorrows
Which now mock our hope for relief
and completeness.

America is weeping for her children
Of every hue and faith and age
Murdered with weapons of war
By the vengeful beasts of anger
Who cannot coexist with the smiles
of our children.

America is weeping for her children
Because it cannot begin to pray
for solace
In a time beyond comfort
Or a balm for our wounds

America will weep for her children
Until the last tear is shed
When we limp back to life,
Broken and unsure of how we
will begin to live again.

Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.
May 26, 2022