All is calm, all is bright
Until shattered by the unthinkable
Shots ring out amid terrified screams
Each shot piercing our souls as well
As one by one they are silenced
Beautiful, sweet spirits rise
Returning to their creator
A cauldron of tears, anger, and anguish
Stirs and boils over with each reflection
Questions of why repeated over and over
Questions of how those in power
Continue to bow to those who fill their coffers
Deliberate inaction makes accomplices of each one
***
Wounded Butterfly Photo: Dwight L. Roth
To be shared on d’Verse poets pub.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com!
Roth Poetry 
What a bright picture! The first line reminds me of “Silent Night, holy night, all is …
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Yes, that is where my thoughts went as well… Thank you.
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Thanks you too, for sharing.
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You are welcome.
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🙏🙏
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Wow. I think you express how we all feel right now.
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Thank you very much.
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Your poems and photos get right to the heart of the matter — even when the matter is something as horrible as this latest massacre of children and teachers. Thank you.
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Thank you Will. I appreciate your kind affirmation of my poetry. I believe less is more and thoughts get lost in long narratives.
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We feel very sad for those families.
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Yes, our hearts go out to each one of them! So sad…
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Thank you for speaking out. 💔
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You are welcome! It is necessary to call our leaders to task and challenge their choices!
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Agreed!
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They clamor to protect the fetus in the womb but care not once the child is born into what’s becoming more and more a heartless world.
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I believe you are right there are a lot of mixed and contradictory messages. Thank you for your comment!
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This is a brilliant poem expressed beautifully.
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Thank you, Daphny! It is difficult to speak and still be respectful of what took place.
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I completely agree with you, Dwight.
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One child’s life is worth more than all the world’s guns.
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i agree!
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I’m still just so lost for words 😦
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Stunned and confused! It is an awful scenario!
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Thank you. I’ve been struggling with finding any words that are adequate to begin to name this horrific tragedy, as well as struggling with where to contain the pain inside. Thank you for putting some words to this.
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You are very welcome, Josaia! It is hard to know what to say to this tragedy!
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It really is. Just unspeakable horror.
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I cannot imagine what those parents much be going through! Worse than a nightmare…it is reality.
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These last lines Dwight.
How do they live with themselves?
💖
“Questions of how those in power
Continue to bow to those who fill their coffers
Deliberate inaction makes accomplices of each one”
did you take this amazing picture?
💖
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Yes, I took it a couple summers ago. The shattered wings seem to fit the poem for me. Thank you for your comment. I agree… How do they sleep at night knowing they could help, but refusing to do so?
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It’s stunning Dwight. I know..,,, how?!!! truly! 💖
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I don’t see how the country can continue to go on like this. Someone has hit the self-destruct button, and no one in power wants to turn it off.
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You may be right everyone is flexing their war muscles and saying you better not mess with me!
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Such a lovely butterfly photo. I pray for them, as they were the victims of inaction on gun ownership.
Thanks for joining in.
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Thank you Grace… a very sad day of infinite loss!
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All my life, the Republicans have been the fat cat villains, but even they keep finding lower depths to sink into. Trump cheers for Putin, and plots his comeback. Jesus weeps ad infinitum.
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It is a sad time of division and disillusion we live in. Thanks for your comment Glenn.
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I am terrified, to be honest. For my children for myself and for my country. May our lawmakers me guided to stop this violence though strict and swift action.
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As long as they take money from the gun lobby, action with be limited or nonexistent!
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So sad to hear. I just spent the evening crafting letters. I hope there is more that I can do to take a stand.
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Good for you. Every little bit helps. We may not change things, but we can call them to task and make them question their actions.
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Agreed. We must. Happy Memorial Day weekend to you friend.
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And to you as well!
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It really is frightening never knowing where the next one will pop up!
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Such a brutal truth. It is a plague on our nation right now.
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Thank you… is is so sad that more is not done to prevent these shootings.
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The last line says it all Dwight.
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Thank you so much! I agree.
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The picture looks so beautiful, and so do your words
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Thank you for reading and commenting.
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Oh Roth! So painful and true. What kind of a world have we created for our youngsters. Terrorism, unemployment, war, climate change…….
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do very sad indeed!
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In the words of Joseph Conrad “oh the horror the horror”
Dwight thanks for dtopping by my blog
Much 💛love
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Thank you Gillena for your thoughts! You are welcome.
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All so sadly true, Dwight. There seems to be more of a surge of anger this time, but I suspect still nothing will be done–again. The photo is so poignant, as well.
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Thank you so much for your comment. I am afraid your assessment is true. Very sad.
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You’re welcome, Dwight.
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Perfectly woven words for a horrific situation, Dwight!!
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Thank you Eugi! So sad!
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Most welcome, Dwight!
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Amen.
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Thank you Ken.
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A powerful poem, Dwight, with a very powerful last line. Amen to that. Somehow, we are only ever left with questions, aren’t we? Deliberate inaction when you have the power to change things is enabling the crime. Well written ❤
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Yes, I believe that is true! Thank you so much for your comment. Much more could be done!
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Heartbreaking. I have no words but I will be taking action for change.
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How apt and breaking a poem! Love the emotion and imagery . . . ❤
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It is so very disturbing. I still can’t get over it.
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I feel the same way!
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