Laura hosts Meeting the Bar in the dVerse Poets Pub ~ time to revisit a challenging form, 'the Cadralor'
On October 15th, in Bend Oregon, at Iron Rail Elementary School, a 16-year old gunman killed three special needs children and their teacher. Another child and teacher remain hospitalized. The shooter is dead, taken down by the father of two students who carries a concealed firearm permit. He was driving home from work for lunch and saw the shooter climbing over the school fence with a shotgun.
small hands held fast, hiding their fear
their teacher stood, a shield of strength
we lit candles, a vigil through the night
three tiny lights, lifetimes left to live
stolen by the sudden freeze of dark
autumn's sky in Bend dimmed
chalkboards fade, silent desks remain
a community wrapped in shared grief
its peaceful air of "place" ripped away
unimaginable pain descends on families
Bend, we hold your heavy heart
side by side our mountain town will stand
lifting each other through darkness
the pitch black soul that exists
in a world that's not ok
Thanks for the thoughtful poetic tribute.
ReplyDeleteBend, we hold your heavy heart in Canada too. Helen, a heartbreakingly beautiful poem of unimaginable sorrow. I didnt know the man who intervened was a father of two students. All so heavy on the heart. What times we live in.
ReplyDeleteA touching poem Helen. 🙏🏾
ReplyDeleteFitting, and sincere your tribute. So much more needs to be done to minimise such horror.
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