Warning Sign

Remember this post when I talked about my very first short film, Warning Sign? Well, here's the poem that sparked it all. This was one of the first proper poems I ever wrote, and I think I'll always have a little soft spot for it. Also, it's inspired by my favourite film of all time; Zero Day (2003, Ben Coccio). Enjoy! (It's not really a poem you can exactly enjoy, actually, but experience it. Also, trigger warning: school shootings).

Their parents weep and pray for help, but all they gain is hatred.

The teachers seem detached, the paramedics seem sedated.

The media often ask: "The parents; are they blind?

Surely they must've known, were there no warning signs?"

But sometimes there aren't any, so the only sign you'll see

Is a black gloved hand, some combat boots, and a pain above your knee.

Your heartbeat will be quickening, a dull ache in your head

As you glance down to your lap in fear, to see a pool of red.

Maybe then the thought you'll think will be one more profound

Than the needless, vulgar, horrid ones you often shouted loud.

Maybe then you'll stop and see the pain that you ave caused,

And maybe then you'll teach your child to hate less and love more.

But maybe you won't have a child, and maybe now you'll die,

And maybe you'll not realise that you're the reason why

Two lovely children broke and then turned into twisted men,

And vowed to never, ever feel so powerless again.

They saw your 'harmless teasing' as a valid reason why

They should kill the school and teachers too, your words their battle cry.

So now I hope you're happy, even though you're scared.

The words you thought would hurt the boys instead made them prepared.

Their angry minds are swirling, their blackened hearts are dead.

Their sawed-off guns are howling at the children who have fled. 

You crouch under a table and you shed a single tear.

You best friend isn't breathing and you're paralysed with fear.

So is this what you pictured when you taunted and you teased

And you forced them to be lonely just because you were displeased 

With the clothes they wore, the things they said, the simple way they stood

And the fact that one of them caught the eye of the girl you never could.

She saw in him a spark, a light, a glimmer of something exciting,

And in you she saw the truth - a bully. That flame you were igniting

With your harsh words and harsher hits and incessant grating jeers

Will now be what destroys you thought your blood and sweat and tears.

You should've seen those warning signs,

You shouldn't have been so violent.

But most of all, my dear dead friend, 

You should've just stayed silent.

                                        -c.h.f