Tread on Me

They’ll tell you that I don’t kill people—that “people kill people”

That I am not evil, and don’t cause the upheaval

Of the young generation

Don’t compromise the safety of this free nation

But don’t believe everything that is said

I’m a tool to invite dread, I’m alive to see you die

 My favorite color is red, and I love when people cry

That’s my purpose—Haven’t you seen and heard this?

How else can I word this?

I am hatred’s best friend and I have sworn

Allegiance to violence. Battle is why I was born

I eat dynamite and spit out attacks

Just so people will fear and stay back

They told you that I’m just for sport—right?

That I’m one of your constitutional rights

Since when did “right” mean that we fight

The children walking home at night?

That we open fire on preschoolers

No. I’m the one that makes you feel like a ruler

I am power to the fool, make you feel cooler

In a flurry of anger, I’m what you will go to

The dangerous toy that you never outgrew

The bad influence friend that makes you do

Things that your mama would never want you to,

Things you don’t even understand.

Does the cold steel of my spine against your hand

Make you feel like more of a man?

Good.

You think you’re a killer? Please.

My mother is war and my bane is peace.

I sit here waiting for you to release

Round upon round on whoever you found

To appease your appetite to astound

To be the loudest when nothing is sound

Go ahead and caress me, wave me from your steeple

And say that I don’t kill people—that people kill people.

Look around you- I fuel the terrorists and drug lords

I am one word making historical records.

Where would you be without me?

Homicide side by side with sticks and swords?

Colombine, Newton, Virginia Tech

Unscathed by my ability to wreck

The lives of billions, Killing them in millions

Spreading fear like a flame to army and civilians.

Without me people stroll

Down the streets of South Side Chicago

Fall asleep without hearts pounding in fear

But I am still here.

Don’t let evil men and women take the credit

I do kill people. Don’t forget it.

Admit it. Right now and make me proud

A person kills a person but I kill a crowd.

I ravage the earth but you never bill me

You think you do it all, but you never kill me.

O please. Call me dirty filthy words or

Charge me with accessory to murder

Put me under judicial review

Because people may kill people, but I’m a damn good killer too.