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Open Poetry #4
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Fourteen Children
| Open Poetry #4 |
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Fourteen Children |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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Fourteen Children Fourteen children died today I know that fact is true I read it in a newspaper A small article hid from view It wasn’t a front page story But on the pages in between Hidden there so cleverly Not open to be seen Fourteen children died today In the US by a gun Nine by homicide, four by suicide And by accident was one Children killing children Because of differences in views And children dying at their own hands I find this front page news Tomorrow fourteen more shots will ring Fourteen more kids will die And I pull my own kids closer As I bow my head and cry Fourteen children will die today Before the setting of the sun Oh dear Lord, I beg of you Don’t let my child be one (I wrote this after reading the newspaper today and finding a small little blurp about the number of children that die in the US a day due to gunfire. It was shoved in a spot where people would overlook it easily, like they didn't think it to be newsworthy. As a mother of two, I find it very newsworthy!) ------------------ Alis volat propriis (She flies with her own wings) |
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| © Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is truly heartbreaking. Very well written, Ruth. ------------------ Denise |
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Sally S. Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847Ohio |
We tend to take things for granted from time to time, don't we? I could NEVER imagine losing one of my children...and in such a violent manner!!! I wish there were answers. I have many questions. One day... Thank you, Ruth. This is a powerful poem. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Extremely strong poem, Ruth, on such a tragic statistic. What a waste it is. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you Denise and Balladeer....sometimes things like that just hit me so strongly, perhaps my maternal instincts, who knows Sally, I often think I'd like to have all the answers, but in turn, perhaps we are better off not knowing some times. Thanks for your reply |
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Watcher666 Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606 |
Terrifying statstic!So heartbreaking. ------------------ Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you. |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Hoot: Straight to the heart.. HUGS ------------------ You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you both Watcher and Rainbow, it is tragic and the tragedy lies in the fact that most of them with the right enforcement could be prevented. I only pray that none of us ever have to deal with losing a child like that. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Powerful poem, Hoot... well done! |
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RSEvans Senior Member
since 1999-10-23
Posts 1147Tulsa, OK, USA |
A beautiful and touching poetic statement, Hoot. Only this morning in Tulsa a woman was changing a flat on her car on the shoulder of I-244 and was struck by not one, but two cars. All I could think of was my wife and what I would feel if this happened to her. ------------------ Once I was brilliant, now I no longer shine, but the twinkle in my eye speaks of another time. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
There are reasons far beyond what you realize that you were meant to see this article, to put it into proper form, and share it with us all. Thank you, Hoot, a/k/a [to me as] Keeper of the Heart. ------------------ Sunshine Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 11-10-1999).] |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
A thougtful and sad poem. We want our children to be safe always. It is so hard to find a reason for senselessness. |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
Heartbreaking statistics....makes a mothers' heart cringe.... Your poem is powerful and deeply moving Ruth.... ------------------ A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
suthern, RSEvans, Martie and pepper....thank you all for your kind replies Sunshine...you are a dear, thank you. hugs  Ruth |
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Aurora's Fire Junior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 28Oshawa, Ontario, Canada |
That gave me shivers. It's so real, and yet I face the fact that I don't want to believe it. Very good, and I hope your child or anyone's else's will not be the next victim's. |
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Craig Member
since 1999-06-10
Posts 444 |
You have written a fine piece that hopefully will make all of us view what we read, and take as the norm, with a little more awareness. Well done ------------------ Yes, I admit your general rule. That every poet is a fool: But I myself may serve to show it. That every fool is not a poet. |
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Julie Senior Member
since 1999-08-20
Posts 739Houston, TX |
I cetainly find it newsworthy! I say a short prayer everytime my son leaves the house along with...be careful. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thank you everyone, maybe we can make a difference on this issue, I hope so one day at least |
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Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Ruth, You have such a talent to take any situation and make a touching masterpiece. I know one day you will be behind the changing for the better the way children are treated. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Lost Dreamer...thank you for bringing this one back up, it's a perfect compliment to my other right now |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Being a mother of 3 myself Ruth I agree with you! That is news! What a shame today I tell ya. To think twice about going out after dark or even going to school in the day. I guess we didn't have it so bad when we were kids. I know we certainly didn't have to worry bout those things then. |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
How awful! And part of the tragedy lies in the futility of it all. And I would like to add that it doesn't come from your maternal instincts alone but from your caring heart - for all types of people. K |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Ruth, you're on a mission - Keep up the good work... |
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