Hide. Run. Fight.

Hide. Run. Fight. 

At first, they would giggle,

the lesson plan was over,

the lights were out, and

they were under the desk in a 

safe 

place. 

It was kinda fun to these 14 year olds.

I don't really know when it changed.

When we announced the drill,

they would swoop under the desk in the cool, dark, locked room,

and no noise would come from them.

Except hushed whispers. 

They knew. They knew they had to learn to be quiet. 

I used to struggle with the keys to my room. 

Had to go into the hall to lock the door. And it wouldn't

always

latch. 

Once, admin had us read a "hide/run/fight" scenario to the kids. 

The thirteen year olds I had just taught

Romeo and Juliet. 

I cried the entire time and then pretended

it was just allergies

and then we discussed comma splices. 

Hide. Run. Fight. 

Have you ever sat in the dark

pretending to pretend

but imagining it being real?

Have you ever imagined it BEING REAL? 

Once, the school where I taught had a bullet found. 

In the hallway. 

It was probably a visitor, probably fell out of a pocket. 

We went on lockdown for hours. 

Searched backpacks. 

A week later, in a fire drill, a student hit the deck

when a balloon popped. 

He laughed it off, pretended 

he was making a joke.

But everyone knew. 

Don't tell me you care about life

when this is still okay. 

KAW 2022