Elegy for Uvalde

Thomas Hemminger

October 27, 2022

Upon your lamentation, Oh Uvalde,

The Texas Hills in silence stood,

The Nueces River stopped her coursing,

The white-tailed deer and javelina ceased their roaming,

The white-winged dove and moorhen waited and watched,

And even the sweet guajillo honey halted its flow.

We hear your lamentation, poor Uvalde.

We weep with you in disbelief.

Our hearts break with your hearts.

We sense the emptiness of your homes.

We catch the horrible echo of hate from darkest places,

Our human grief imparted for so great a loss.

We lift the lamentation of Uvalde

To Heaven’s throne room shining bright,

To where your children newly entered in.

May our love for them remain, undying, there

Where nowhere can be found an earthly care, and

Where they will live forever looking on the face of God.

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His personal hero is Fred Rogers, the creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It was through America’s favorite “neighbor” that Thomas learned of the importance of loving others and of giving them their own space and grace to grow.