Victor Buhagiar Poet Couplet

The Murder of Cherry Creek Town

Sounds of a Day in the Past

Cherry Creek was a thriving small town
Children played on swings up and down.

They screamed with delight and why not?
Today with no school, so homework forgot.

How they laughed and frolicked and ran,
All cares forgotten, catch me if you can!

The swings were well-oiled and so no creaks
Could be heard, but happy they enjoyed their leaps.

Not far away, parents and singles formed a march
Protesting against chemical factory built beyond the arch. 

Sounds of a Day in the Present

Cherry Creek is now a ghost town
And all the rusted swings are down.

The chemist factory spoilt their fun.
Children in Cherry Town were none.

So many died from deadly fumes
All protests covered in all newsrooms.

But to no avail, for protests fell on dead ears.
Parents left to other places shedding tears.

The only sound you hear is the wind
No swing moved, empty all rust lined.

But I forgot the sound of money,
The factory simply insults me.

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David Crandall April 1, 2024 at 10:04 AM Victor, I like your strong, dramatic way of making a point, which stirs emotions.

Darlene De Beaulieu March 14, 2024 at 12:21 PM Hello Victor this is so sad. I think Cheery Hill wikll always be a ghost town. enjoy your day my friend. /Darlene/

Linda Alice Fowler January 31, 2024 at 6:58 AM It happens dear Victor. and you have captured it with your marvelous words. :)

Eve Roper January 30, 2024 at 1:26 PM Reminded me of working with children. A shame of some of these companies don’t care if they hurt anyone. Love the write. hugs my friend

Mike Bayles January 30, 2024 at 3:40 AM Very haunting. I like the rhyme.

Maria Williams January 30, 2024 at 2:59 AM There are so many ghost towns around these days, once thriving little hubs, employing so many. Families happy and thriving. You've captured all the emotions so well dear Victor. Greed in the so called name of 'progress'. A fave for me...Hugs

Yann Rolland January 30, 2024 at 1:38 AM wonderful, factories become the ennemy things must change as soon as possible, beginning with this poem, humanity is in danger, you reminded me a movie with Julia Roberts, Thanks Victor for fighting evil

Hiya Sharma January 29, 2024 at 11:09 PM Oh my, this is such a poignant and reflective write, dear Victor. It's really a disheartening situation when everything so jovial and magical turns to a mere tapestry of soot and ash. These plants and factories result in the abandonment of happiness for many, sigh. Its extremely sad to read. You've captured those emotions so impeccably here with creative storytelling and artistic wordplay by painting before and after scenes of the town Cherry Creek. Loved reading this, a FAV absolutely..

Evelyn Judy Buehler January 29, 2024 at 9:11 PM It's very sad that the effects of greedy decisions aren't felt until it's too late. This is a haunting, melancholy and beautifully composed poem. It is in my faves.

Joseph May January 29, 2024 at 6:56 PM So sad that a thriving town was made a ghost town by these chemicals, and this still persists today, Powerful write

Hilda Greenhough January 29, 2024 at 6:48 PM This sounds like a true story. I've heard it about many places. So sorry to hear of such devastation. Keep writing. This was good.

Bill Baker January 29, 2024 at 6:38 PM Greed, the love of money ... the root of all evil! Tragic tale of Cherry Creek, Victor. Good poetry, my friend. Bill

Mystic Rose Rose January 29, 2024 at 6:37 PM How sad when money comes before people, this has an unhappy ending to it, but it was well told, Victor,

Unseeking Seeker January 29, 2024 at 6:04 PM Very meaningful and relevant, this write, of us as a collective polluting Mother Earth

Christina Bowring January 29, 2024 at 12:56 PM This is such a well written, profound write dear Victor. The comparison between the past and the present is so sad. The swings happily in use and then rusted, empty swings really stood out for me. The image conveyed the ghost town so well. The loss of childhood - no life or sound just the wind. Haunting. Impactful. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you :):)

Anne-Lise Andresen January 29, 2024 at 12:17 PM - The little city of joy ... became the gloomy city of death ... sad when this happens, Victor - Great written :) - hugs

Andrea Dietrich January 29, 2024 at 10:51 AM You wrote a very meaningful and relevant poem. Even today this hideous stuff is happening all around us. love this one.

Ink Empress January 29, 2024 at 10:20 AM Dear Victor, this is so poignant and creative how you’ve shown us through your poetic lines how things changed, a place that was once so lively and carefree now remains a ghost town. This actually resonates and would resonate with many in many parts of the world too. And those last two lines hit so strong! Absolutely love this one! Pleasure reading your work. Sending you light always

Sotto Poet January 29, 2024 at 9:32 AM You have skillfully crafted a poem with impeccable vocabulary and vivid imagery, delving into the concept of progress and its associated costs, Victor. Your ability to artfully depict contrasting perspectives is truly remarkable, and I have grasped the underlying message conveyed.

Valsa George January 29, 2024 at 8:25 AM This is the sad situation in many places. Factories emitting poisonous fumes are set up everywhere and they are a threat to human lives. But the mercenary interests of the people outrun all human considerations and concerns. Thank you for sharing your powerful poem and thus creating awareness in the people.

Sara Kendrick January 29, 2024 at 7:16 AM Sad when a plant causes the downfall of the people in the area. So much is happening around us (that we do not know is dangerous or deadly) that we do not know about, and we go about life as if it is forever. It is so terrible though when chemicals can cause terrible problems to all who live around that plant or factory. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for visiting my page. Sara

Regina Mcintosh January 29, 2024 at 6:56 AM so sad - and so true in many cases. God bless you Victor. Love, Gina

Vijay Pandit January 29, 2024 at 5:57 AM Cost of progress! You painted the two views brilliantly Victor. I hear your message.

Maria Fernandez-Garcia January 29, 2024 at 5:49 AM Very well written, very profound, but unfortunately, that's the reality of many places. Factories and other companies gain the ground of what one day was a little piece of heaven. Money is spreading its roots very deeply. Great story Victor, though sad. Have a nice Monday!

Kim Rodrigues January 29, 2024 at 4:45 AM Terrible! What oh why does money come before people, and those beautiful kids, for what sounds better than the delightful joy of children, playing, swinging; the opposite haunts. God bless you! Great write!

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