Sandy Hook

Tell the Moms it didn't happen 
Tell the Dads it isn't so 
Pretty little roses blooming 
In the garden – row on row –
Pretty little blossoms folding 
Petals falling to the floor 
Falling into angels rising 
Sprouting wings on which to soar 

Smite the gunman at the trigger! 
Seize the madman at the gun! 
Little voices in the hallway 
Little faces in the sun 
Little feet upon the heavens 
With the morning just begun –

Strike the harp, and hold the fiddle
Let the bells peal out the tune 
Mournful as the lonely shepherd 
'Ere the clock is noon 
Mourning for his little flock 
Going home too soon

– And when the news had broken 
And gotten all abroad 
The stoutest of the stoutest hearts 
Could only weep aloud
For here the pact was broken 
For here the seal was lost 
For here the children were not spared 
The devil's holocaust 

And startled in his earthly robes 
His heart gone sudden cold 
Himself a witness to the siege 
Even God arose
And with a savage grace 
That moved without a sound 
Turned the barrel on itself 
And with the final round 
Emptied out the chamber
And smote the demon down –
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Hind Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 9:20 PM
Deep work, John - you described human tragedy so raw and well
Oldham Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Thank you, Paige :)
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:52 AM
Wow, John, this certainly is a masterpiece. I am shaken by the truth of it. Excellent write.
Oldham Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Thank You, Moon Harp!
Radice Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 1:53 AM
John this is a masterpiece. I think the best I have read of yours. That first verse particularly, is so brilliantly composed. Tragic. Sad. Beautiful. Horrific. Great work. Cheers - Gary
Oldham Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Thanks, Gary! As always, appreciate your comments.
Thacker Avatar
December 14, 2024 at 5:17 PM
This is a brilliant poem, John. Albeit very sad. It can be difficult to write about real life tragedies so eloquently, but you've managed to do so without compromising the darkness of its truth. Very well written.
Oldham Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Thanks, Shane. I like your point about the darkness of its truth - very insightful. Just now watching the news of another school shooting in Wisconsin. So sad :(
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