The poem "A Litany" by Gregory Orr recalls the day he accidentally shot and killed his brother when they were children. Orr uses vivid imagery and descriptive details to depict the traumatic memory and its lasting mental and emotional effects. He aims to share his experience of significant loss as a way to cope and connect with others who have endured similar tragedies. The poem illustrates how a single event can profoundly change one's life and remain etched in one's memory.