A Prayer of Lament

I lament.

In the wake of another school shooting, I lament.

I lament 17 lost lives.
I lament their families
their community
their classmates
their living memory of the dead.

I lament shooters.
I lament the loss of family so young
the absence of community ‘round him
the lack of realized love in his life.

I lament guns.
I lament their misuse
their careless handling
their callous handling
their ceaseless handling.

I lament politicians.
I lament their propaganda
their opportunistic pontification
their wrong-handed pledges
their finger-crossed promises.

I lament prayers.
I lament their empty words
their faith without works
their folded hands.

I lament sin.
I lament my sin
my involvement
my inaction
my lack of imagination.

Forgive him, them, us, and me.

In the wake of another shooting, a predictable and scripted response on repeat, I repent.

I lament.