God grieves with us our every loss—
the murder of a dear friend,
the death of a beloved parent,
a blossoming young life cut short.

God grieves with us our every loss—
for every killing is senseless,
whether the hand that held the gun
wore a uniform, ideology, or rage.

God grieves with us our every loss—
lives snuffed out on a dance floor,
lives taken at a peaceful protest,
lives of some committed to serving.

God grieves with us and holds us
as we hold each other, for we are all
God’s children, and the killing of any one
kills a part of each of us, and a part of God.

God grieves with us and rocks us gently,
so gently we will surely wake up.