Blood Spills

(Forbury Gardens 20thJune, terror on the doorstep)

blood spills while Saturday fades
on lawns grown lush with green
refreshed from falls of recent rain
where scented flora fills balmy air
where innocents have convened
to fritter their time away happily

blood spills where daisies grow
in a town park fondly known
where our people find tranquility
share picnics with their dearest ones
yet their fun forever spoiled, silenced
by blades of hate raining down
where blades of soft grass cry out
in unimagined pain

Reviews

[moog-drika]

I can't even express how much reading this write wrenches my heart. The unpredictability of negative weather is really really dangerous. Even if we stay alert, it may not work when the stabs rain suddenly. The imagery is painful but like always you penned down the event beautifully.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you moog-drika. There sure is a great deal of negativity around. I appreciate your thoughts.read moreThank you moog-drika. There sure is a great deal of negativity around. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[emmajoy]

How appalling it is that in this virus hit world, there are still people willing to hurt, to maim and worse still, kill. Even more news about the perpetrator today. The event must have numbed your area.. What to say, hard to find words.. Thank you, Chris, your words hit home.. the heart and mind. Take care, keep safe.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Em, as if things aren't bad enough with the virus wiping us out, there are others intent on doing their bit too. So close to home as well. Thank you for your thoughts.

Chris

[emmajoy]

Yes, I know what you mean by 'closer to home'. Seems this really is a dark, dark time.. extra horrors are the last thing a community wants.
So very sorry.. Chris, truly. Deep breath and finding more from somewhere, somehow.. ..

[Betty Hermelee]

Chris This topic is so pertinent to our society today; blood does spill over our parks, communities, taking the pleasure away from so many who mean well. And it's usually only a few who spoil. We have lost our tranquility, our ability to feel safe and ability to relax. Our environment does cry out in pain, for everyday
we see damage to it. I love the poem!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. Violence in a beautiful park, right on our doorstep. Tragic loss of life.
read moreThank you Betty. Violence in a beautiful park, right on our doorstep. Tragic loss of life.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, tragic is the word; I can't even imagine a peaceful world now, pretty sad; Fondly, Betty

[Ted Kniffen]

Terribly sad event ... and a painful reminder that a gun is not needed to wreak havoc on the innocent who happen to be within range. Terror is terror not matter how it is perpetuated ... hopefully the man who caused this was taken into custody and will spend a long time in prison.
Very sorry to hear this happened in your town Chris ... we send prayers to all who witnessed this.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ted. Yes on the doorstep. A painful reminder that we live in violent times. Thank you for your thoughts.

Chris

[Lorry]

Sadly, we all know this scene too well Chris. One mans rage indelibly scarring so many lives with their hate, taking out his ire on innocent passers by, just trying to live their life and enjoy the little freedoms in life and work their way through this crazy maze we find ourselves in.
He will live through his actions, others didn't get that choice.
Such a terrible, yet all too common tale. Will we ever learn?
At least there are those like you, who choose to remember there is good amongst the debris and chaos of life.
Never has the term "Stay safe" been required for so many reasons.

[Chris Shaw]

This dreadful act has left our town shocked. Three dead and three injured in a local, beautiful park. Difficult to contemplate when it:s on your own doorstep. Thank you Lorry.

Chris

[Lorry]

Difficult to comprehend every time Chris. Random strangers are not the enemy, no matter what their agenda is.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes difficult to comprehend anytime Lorry. No doubt there will be much more written about it. In the meantime the town weeps for its loss :((

[pinhead07]

Such an appalling incident. My prayers are with the victims and their families. I’ll never understand what could compel someone to do something like this. Mental illness or not, they’re monsters, that have nothing to do with religion or humanity.

[Chris Shaw]

Difficult coming to terms with this when it is on your own doorstep. Our town is in shock. Thank you pinhead. I thank you for your thoughts.

Chris

[Lale]

Oh Chris, that's so tragic. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their loved ones.

[Chris Shaw]

Terrible having this on our doorstep Lale. Thank you for your thoughts. Appreciated.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

The contrasts in this offering are jolting. A lovely town park with its flowers is doused with blood. I assume the reference is to the protests/ riots that are currently taking place in different parts of the world. I hear that in the UK, vandals have defaced Churchill's statue. If you asked any of them about the summer of 1940, I doubt they would know what you're talking about.

[Chris Shaw]

No link to BLM at all. Protests have been very peaceful in our area. This appears to be a lone wolf terrorist attack. However, defacing of statues in other parts, especially Churchill's is a disgrace. You are right, they probably don't know who he was. Three killed and three injured by a knife anf right on our doorstep in a beautiful park. Thank you John.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

It is true... we are so terribly blue.. to live each day
in fear for everyone we love... and all those who
bravely face each day... many of whom risk their lives to be
nurses and doctors and such. Picnics six feet apart...
Birthday parties and family reunions... softball games
for young people. Still... there is time for some to tear
down history when we have learned to love one another
without violence and hate. We have learned too late.
Hope is all we have. Always, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

This Pat was a terror attack. Not at all related to the very peaceful BLM demonstrations that have taken place in our town. Three died and three injured by a knifeman in a beautiful park as everyone was enjoying Saturday evening. So terribly sad. Thank you.

Chris

[Ana Papaya]

This is really tragic, Chris. It hurts to read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ana. We have had fatalities this weekend as a result of a lone knifeman on a hate rampage in a beautiful park.

Chris