Amish Schoolhouse Murders

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First place, Art With Words

Poetry Contest, March, 2007

Tragedy in Pennsylvania
      October, 2006

I watched 34 carriages 
and buggies snake toward 
three empty hand-dug graves.
		
"Our lives are shattered," is quoted
as an entire nation gazes in horror, 
and one church hosts a prayer vigil.

The iron wheels of a horse-drawn hearse
tracks the same route taken by the milk 
wagon, and winds past the shooter's house.

One sister had begged, "Shoot me first."
Her younger sibling said, "Shoot me
next," hoping to save the others.

Hate-filled rhetoric spills over air waves,
thwarts picket plans of misguided religious 
fanatics, and spares gentlefolk further pain.
                          			
Two sisters share a common grave; 
a young girl is brought home 
to die in peace.

Gracious, forgiving, old-world Amish
invite the shooter's family to witness 
their daughters' final farewell.
        
		Naomi Rose, 
the only girl in an all boy family,
	         is laid to rest.

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