Here's why:
* Narrative Structure: The poem tells a story, specifically the tragedy of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, and its impact on the community.
* Simple, Direct Language: The language is straightforward and emotionally charged, focusing on the tragic events and their aftermath.
* Use of Repetition: The poem uses repetition of phrases like "the children" and "Birmingham Sunday" to emphasize the horror and the loss of innocence.
* Focus on Emotion: The poem evokes strong emotions of grief, anger, and sorrow, a key characteristic of ballads.
* Traditional Ballad Elements: While not following a strict rhyme scheme, the poem shares some structural elements of traditional ballads, such as the use of dialogue and the portrayal of a tragic event.
While the poem doesn't follow all the rules of a traditional ballad, its narrative focus, direct language, and strong emotional impact make it a powerful and effective ballad.