Jackson

[Mark A Becker]

Jackson

In Uvalde, 19 kids went under
the gun. Who could expect them
to hold on for an hour?
Here in Virginia, Jackson has held on
beyond expectations
and unlike those kids in Texas
he'll get to turn 12,
yet with one foot planted firmly
on the other side.

His ravaged body has even grown
some hair.  And we live in hope
with each new lock.  He lives
knowing that any day
may be his last, yet holds fast
to a dream of that first slow dance;
that tight embrace; that first kiss.
And he feels lucky.

And I feel the sting
of looking to our kids
for courage. 

Jackson

In Texas, 19 kids went under
the gun. They could only hold out
for an hour.
Here in Virginia, Jackson has held out
for over a year
and he'll get to turn 12
with one foot planted firmly
on the other side.

His ravaged body has even grown
some hair.  And we live in hope
with each new lock.  He lives
knowing that any day
may be his last, yet holds fast
to a dream of that first slow dance;
that tight embrace; that first kiss.
And he feels lucky.

And I feel the sting
of looking to our children
for courage. 


[pre verse]
Jackson

Nineteen kids go under
the gun.  Yet, one survives
close by, who performs
a near miracle with every breath.
For a year, Jackson had one foot
firmly on the other side,
yet now he begins to grow
some hair.  And we live
in hope, with each new lock.
He knows any day could be
his last, yet he holds fast
to a dream of that first
slow dance;
that tight embrace;
that first kiss.
And he feels lucky.

And I feel the sting
of shame, that adults
now look to our children
for courage.