American Girls


	American Girls
	(by Rachel Williams)
	Four girls woke up early With stretches and yawns Just as they did When each new day dawns Each got out of her bed Washed her face and got dressed And brushed out her hair So that she'd look her best In four different houses They each went downstairs Gave their fathers a kiss And sat down on their chairs They said "hi" and made teases To their sisters and brothers And they got a big hug From each of their mothers They talked and they laughed They made plans to have fun Then their mom's said it was time They said breakfast was done The girls picked up their books And they started to leave But their mother's said "Wait." "Take your lunch. Fix your sleeve." They kissed and they hugged Said "Goodbye" and "Have fun." Then the girls all went out And they started to run The girls ran for the bus They ran very fast Never knowing those hugs Had been their last At school they saw friends Went to class, had a test They passed notes, and they giggled "Do you like my new vest?" Then a bell started to ring "Fire Drill. This is fun." And they all walked outside Into the bright midday sun No fire was burning There was no plan for a drill But something so evil Was outside on the hill They were four little girls Only twelve and eleven When they walked out of their school Two boys sent them to heaven "What's that noise?" "Oh my god!" "What's happening?" "Help, I hurt!" And the nightmare went on Children's blood in the dirt. Children running and screaming Falling down with such pain And the boys kept on shooting Again and again The boys were so careful They had made up a plan Teach the girls a good lesson "Never turn down a man" Children scream "Help it hurts!" "Make it stop!" "Help I'm bleeding." "Get a doctor." "Hurry! Quick!" "Dear God these four aren't breathing." Parents crying with grief The whole world sharing their pain For four little girls Whose deaths were in vain The girls were so young Not that much past ten When they became victims Of the violence of men Four little girls Killed by boys not yet men Four little girls When will it happen again? Copyright � 1998 Rachel Williams