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For Heidi
| Open Poetry #23 |
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For Heidi |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada 
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December 6th marks 13 years since a man with severe antisocial behavour murdered 14 young women at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This man, although diagnosed unstable, was still allowed to legally acquire a semi-automatic military weapon that killed 14 people, then himself. These young women engineering students that died over a decade ago are remembered every year by Canadians across the country. One woman survived to make a difference to this country, and her name was Heidi Rathjen. On December 5th, 1995, Heidi Rathjen, Co-founder of the Coalition for Gun Control, along with Professor Cukier of Ryerson University was responsible for having Gun Control Bill C-68 passed in Canada, making it illegal to own a fire arm without registering it with the police department, and having formal training in the use of it.  ~* For Heidi *~ Gagging at the smell of death and sulfur in her hair, she cried. 30 rounds, 28 shots, 14 lives. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. She trembled in fear being hunted because she was just a woman. 45 minutes of terror screams, and a mad man’s rifle. Each silence broken by a pop! Pop, pop, pop, smashing hope. That sick sound of torment would haunt forever. She was just a woman. Leaded limbs ached So frozen in surreal fear. When she moved a strange guilt in surviving made her cry. “Why?” she thought, “Why?” She was just a woman. Wanting answers to questions she made questions to answer. Safety control her quest. She survived, to make us proud. not for what she did for us, but what she did for herself. She Is Woman! ~*~ In respectful memory of: Genevieve Bergeron, 21, Helene Colgan, 23, Natalie Crouteau, 23, Barbara Daigneault, 22, Anne-Marie Edward, 21, Maude Haviernick, 29, Barbara Marie Kluznik, 31, Maryse Laganiere, 25, Maryse Leclair, 23, Anne-Marie Lemay, 27, Sonya Pelletier, 28, Michele Richard, 21, Annie St-Arneault, 23, Annie Turcotte, 21. Heidi Rathjen was a survivor, and has moved on to organize and lobby for The Coalition Quebecoise pour le Control du Tabac (Control on Tobacco sales and usage)  Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. [This message has been edited by Mysteria (12-06-2002 04:06 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2002 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Skyfire
since 2000-12-27
Posts 3381Riding |
Beautiful tribute to such a horrible, uncalled for massacre, and a strong, strong woman. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I hope there is some place locally you can submit this to so that your heart felt tribute will be seen by those touched the most by this tradgedy. Thank you for sharing this with us..information is power. Such a waste of so many lives...but she turned loss into a gain for the future. Well done poetess Sharon  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Sharon, Thank you dear, you are a love. |
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whiskey
since 1999-12-28
Posts 1278Australia |
Wonderful tribute to a horrible event, Im so sad for the people who lost people they loved. Hopefully this can be put somewhere to reach them let them know that many people care. |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
A very nice tribute. Enjoyed your informative and touching poem.... Warm regards, Pat  ..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.. |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Sharon, this is such a heartfelt tribute. Thank you so much for sharing this heartbreaking story with us. It's so terrible that people can have guns when they aren't mentally capable of using them, and end up killing people with them. I, personally, hate guns. "Love makes the world go around" |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
we should never forget those who sacrifice and those that survive to make a difference. very nicely done.. |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
Sharon thank you for showing us that one woman can make a difference,and for this wonderful tribute to them all. Hugs you. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big hugggsssssss) Oh Sharon, it is such a tragedy, I know this violence ever so well as at a high school not far from where I live, in April of 2000, two students shot and killed 16 students and a heroic faculty member who risked his life to save many other children who could have been shot also at Columbine! (sad sigh) I pray that Heidi can inspire every one of us to give up this violence and find alternative methods in defending our families which do not kill, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sharon, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sharon "not for what she did for us, but what she did for herself" Such a sensitive poem you have written here, my friend. A fine tribute to strength of character. She survived to make a difference. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Your huge heart speaks out once more, dear friend..  Heidi was supposed to survive, just to make the difference that she has... She's done the world proud. Her friends who were lost that day have helped her to make that difference... and YOU accomplish the same by reminding us, Sharon - This is very well done... |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Thank you everyone - I did this very late last night or early this morning - depending on where you are as I didn't want to forget to remind everyone of how sometimes a tradegy can make us move forward. Heidi turned her fear into action (boy did she ever) and continues to fight for what she believes in. She is much younger than I am and very much a hero to me.Here's to Heidi and to those who gave their lives to make a difference in Canada. |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
Sharon, what a horrible, horrible tragedy. I shivered as I read your words. But God bless the courage and strength of this one woman who turned an entire country around. Amazing what one person can do if motivated. She turned a tragedy into something productive and good. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Hugs, Marti |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Marti, this woman has fast become an icon to struggling women who can see through her experience that turning fear into action is a great solution. Thanks for the comment. I am sending this to the organization today with all comments as well. |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Wow! Sharon....I'm speechless....this is exceptional! What a tragedy that was...........thanks for sharing. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
This was in your neck of the woods Ethome, and this is the West paying its respect to those women, Heidi, and our Eastern neighbours I hope.  Season's Greetings from Canada eh! [This message has been edited by Mysteria (12-07-2002 07:23 PM).] |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
A little update from our paper in Vancouver, to give you some insight. http://www2.mybc.com/news/cbc/vancouver/fs.cfm?source_id=CBC&id=1231278 |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
My God has it been 13 years already? I'll never forget that day, we in Canada take our peace for granted. That was just one of those moments that show how easy it could be shattered. Beautiful tribute.. |
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