AFTER TRAGEDY

Noticing

Blue

 Blooming

~*~


Monday night with my writing group downtown,
I wrote these lines in response to a prompt.
I wept when I read them aloud.
(Screen Shot--1st Baptist, Southerland Springs, Texas)

This Child

(for Anabelle Pomeroy)

Motionless now

                under the conflicted sky.

Blood drying

                 tears receding

Along the sharp line

                 where an emerging

Golden sun rising

                 dropped purple shrouds

Falling back into the sea

                 back before we

Swam up on  to land

                 before we took to flight

Before this child,

                  just fourteen, dreamed

She was roller skating

                  right to the edge of somewhere,

Spread her arms, then floating

                  off her mattress

Sailed up through the roof of a country church

                  which dissolved completely.

You know, the way dreams do,

                  she felt the thrill of

Unexpected ascension, so much holier

                  than Holy Mother Mary.

Entirely without shame this child, bursting,

                  sang out loud.

While the choir applauded in unison

                  white light spread

Everywhere, until that's all

                  there was to see--

Till even the brightest stars could

                  not outshine her.

The Story
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/texas-church-shooting/texas-church-shooting-who-were-victims-sutherland-springs-massacre-n818356
~*~


Tuesday it was off to get an x-ray of my right ribs.
an accident at home: in a stupid moment reaching down over a wooden arm chair to retrieve a fallen pen and -crack-but it took a few days to really exhibit it's effect and I suddenly couldn't breathe.
(reading available while I waited)

 Kids camping out at the subway entrance
"IN NEED__PLEASE HELP"

 Then I crossed through the park to
Dr. Robert Schiller
where the x-ray pictures were read and interpreted:
Not a fracture, just a badly bruised intercostal sheath which will take an estimated three weeks to a month of care, warmth and consciousness to heal. Okay.
Then the rains came, a regular deluge pouring from City skies.
Soaked when I reached my first location...
(Baruch College used to be the Childrens Court)

 ...where they couldn't find me on the books!

Trudged on to the right location a few blocks away to vote a straight Democratic slate.
My valiant struggle through the cold rain to register my vote did manage to push democrats over the fat heads of Republican punishers and was a definite mandate expressing rejection of the current National Administration, not that this Democratic gang are pure or perfect, but it's as good as we can manage for the moment,
a restraining wall at least.

 ~*~


At the Zendo Wednesday night
A loss Commemorated

Beloved 12 year old Cat

Carol and I walked together after the meditation

~*~