White Flowers

This is about the Beslan School siege and I think it is one of my best

Little children lying dead

Like white flowers stained deepest red

Heaven knows what went through their heads

While their parents watched with dread

Listening for every tread

Now little girls can’t use their charms

Nor walk down the aisle on their father’s arm

And what about the little boys?

They will no longer need their toys

With every bullet and every bomb

Their parents dreams are dead and gone

How will they ever carry on?

Reviews

[R J Askew]

That last verse is really strong. Indeed how can we carry on if our kids are torn from life? They are our life and they continue beyond us. If they die before us our future dies with them. You made me feel with that verse esp.

[WingsToFly]

Thanks for writing this Bobbie.

[emmajoy]

This is so tragically topical .. an echo. Beautiful sad, empathic and I know, comes from your heart.

(Bobby)

[Mary]

Bobbi, the images, the rhythm, the rhyme, all intertwine to create a very emotional poem. Our children are truly our dreams, aren't they. added to my favorites.

[not here]

Thanks for sharing, Bobbie. "White Flowers" is a subject that I am quite familiar with, and as a writer I am often saddened that it is even there for us to write about...

Your metaphor is a classic one. I am especially interested in the rhyme scheme you used, and the descending number of lines per stanza to help carry an affect.

[Athina]

good poem. i can feel in this poem the loneliness on what happened on this children. so really good poem.

[SHEEMA HUQ]

Well done for undertaking such a harrowing, distressing subject, reads a little like an old folk rhyme or lyrics...waking us up to some ugly truths, thanks Bobbie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is an apt description of the terror and sadness associated with these shootings...all done to make a name...a mark...but it is certainly a black mark and a name we don't want or need to hear.

very well done.

jacob

[emmajoy]

Such a terrible happening and more, far more than sad. Sometimes we can't but wonder why, dear goodness, why. Closing my eyes now .. managing to type, imagining the events that will never happen.

Your writing is so obviously felt.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

I agree, one of your best, brilliant work Bobbie...well done