Join Diane, MotherOwl, and Mimi in writing a poem on this topic, if you like.
You can leave your poem in the comments here or post on your own blog. If you do the latter, please leave a comment here so we can find you.
Use the topic or choose another; the idea is to get our brains working.
*****
Every time I tried to write a poem this week, all I could feel was such melancholy after last weekend's shootings. A palpable sadness hangs in the air around our province. The death count is at 22 victims now, plus the shooter. He apparently had a fight with his girlfriend, assaulted her and then started on his rampage, targeting people he knew and killing others he did not know but who just happened to be in his way. Police have had to deal with sixteen crime scenes and five structure fires complicating their investigations.
I realize there have been shootings with much larger numbers in other places, but this is being classified as the worst Canada has seen in modern history. And the senseless, focused, pre-meditated cruelty of this man as he went about his slaughter makes the mind reel.
So many families have been dealt a loss from which they will never recover.
The fact that this happened within an hour's drive of my home, and close to the homes of family members, doesn't help my state of mind either.
Thank you for your kind and supportive comments on my last post. I truly appreciate your thoughts and I'll be back. I'm not sure when, but I'll be back.
And I'll update the topic for next week when Diane has posted it.
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| Trees in my neighbourhood |
You take all of the time you need, we'll be here.
ReplyDeleteAs for the birds, there are a lot of them in my life just now, from the little brown variety right outside the window to the Canada geese swimming around on the old mill pond.
It was hard to tell for sure, but yesterday Briana and I saw what we're fairly sure was a wild turkey chasing and being chased by a Canada goose.
They flew to the other side of the pond and took to chasing each other through the bushes on the shore.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
-Doug in Sugar Pine
Heartfelt hugs and oceans of caring are flowing your way.
ReplyDeleteTake all the time you need.
The tree canopy is rainbow shaped. So sad, all those lives, gone before they've lived.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to put into words the way you feel after such a horrible series of actions like these. I am sorry for all the losses and the pain so many must be dealing with now. I did not realize it was so close to where you live. I wish I could help you, but please know I do care.
ReplyDeleteBIRDS
ReplyDeleteWe watched them endlessly
Though we could not fly -
Observed them soaring
To the clouds in the sky.
We heard them wordlessly
Though we could not sing -
Their messages hardly
Seemed to mean a thing.
And throughout time
They watched us too
Sharp eyes trained
On both me and you.
They hear our screams
As night draws near,
Teaching us lessons
We refuse to hear.
In the US we are forced to deal with something like this happening on almost a daily basis and it is heartbreaking and monstrous. I understand your shock and sadness at such a horrendous act and the lives lost because of a most cruel, selfish, despicable creature. Take care, dear Jenny and remember that you live in a beautiful country that acts like that seldom occur.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I am so sorry that you and your fellow Canadians are having to deal with not just one tragedy but two at the same time. Life must seem very hard right now. My heart and thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteHere is my effort for this week - more than a grain of truth in this one.
ReplyDeleteBRIAN PIGEON
A thump on the window,
Handprint on the glass
Hubby’s blood pressure’s rising
As Brian Pigeon flies past.
Brian lurks round the corner
‘Til the coast is quite clear
To return to the feeders -
Good pickings are here.
But Hubby is ready
To make a last stand
He’s defending the little’uns,
A brick in his hand.
For Brian is greedy
And leaves not a grain,
Nor fatball nor pellet,
Not a seed will remain.
But blackbird and robin,
Sparrow and wren,
Nuthatch and bluetit
Will soon feed again.
‘Cos Hubby’s their champion
Their foe he’ll defeat,
His “B***** OFF, BRIAN”
Resounds down the street.
And off flies poor Brian,
His tummy still empty
But he has a plan -
And pigeon friends a-plenty.
Brian coos down the chimney -
A defiant retreat.
(Hubby’s lining up bricks
For when they next meet.)
Oh, that's quite a clever poem, and Brian needs to go pick his battles elsewhere!
DeleteThank you, Mimi. Nobody has called my poems 'clever' before - thank you for making my day!
DeleteI'm at a loss for words to describe this event. It's a sad time especially for Nova Scotians. Support one another.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you XOXO. And regarding birds, saw a lovely cardinal poking around my yard yesterday. The bright color perked me up on an otherwise dreary day.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to imagine what would make someone snap like that. I can't see how a simple argument could lead to such rage -- or the release of such rage, I should say, since the rage was clearly there beneath the surface already. People are mystifying. Please be kind to yourself during this challenging time! We're thinking of you and all your extended neighbors!
ReplyDeleteWe feel the same here on PEI, Jenny. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHey Jenny. It's very, very sad and I can understand it weighing heavy on you. Is there any garden work you can do outside, even a small plant. Something that grows a little life on the porch. I don't know if this will recharge you a bit, but I find it does me. Something peaceful about being in the dirt. Sending you good wishes and blogger virtual hugs. Ivy. PS: My email is on my comments now so drop me a note if you ever need/want to talk.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself. We'll be here.
ReplyDeleteI'm so shocked and sad for you and everyone involved (and I think all Canadians feel "involved" to some extent). There is no comprehending such a terrible act, but I hope you find some measure of peace.
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches because of this. So many questions about people like the shooter, and no real answers.
ReplyDeletePlease take your time, and know i am praying for you.
My sister lives in Enfield, about a mile from that service station. Her son worked there. So this story is very close to home. There isn't anyone in their village who did not lose someone. So senselessly tragic and horrifying. You take the time you need. I know we have discussed friends before. I just thought it was very timely!
ReplyDeletedear Jenny i share weight of your heart brought by this extremely tragic event
ReplyDeletei can understand how such sad accidents keep heart of inhabitants occupied for long ,specially sensitive people hardly can get rid of such horrible memories even for life time sometimes
still i believe that with strength of your positivism and wisdom you will find way out sooner or later ,for now take your time ,but remember dear Jenny that your lovely lively chat is being missed by all of your fiends!
sending lots and lots of healing energy ,hugs and love!!!
stay healthy ,strong and blessed as always!
i forgot to mention that these trees look sad and mournful
ReplyDeletethey look like grieving people standing for funeral !
may they retun to cheerfulness of bird chirping again!
It is so shocking. Sending hugs xo
ReplyDeleteI definitely thought of you when I heard the news. Hang in there. I hate that this happened and I also hate that people think that they must hurt others when they have been wronged. BTW, the spaghetti was delicious. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJenny love. I hope you are staying safe and strong. These times are sad enough without tragedies like this to deal with. Sending a hug for you. x
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say happy birthday to my May 3 twin, when it gets here. I’m so sorry there’s such sorrow around you right now, but please know that from NYC someone is beaming you love. May this be a wonderful year for us both. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSending you virtual birthday hugs!
ReplyDeleteNothing to add about the tragedy, other than I am sorry, and I will keep you and others in your region in my thoughts.
ReplyDeletePipeTobacco