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

[Gee]

So much knife crime in this country now, seems that a machete or blade are the must have accessory when the young venture out. And then you have the religious nutters...
Scary times Christine.
Hope you are all well...YNWA...C'MON YOU MIGHTY REDS...So wish mum was alive to witness that :)

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry about my tardy response Gee. Yes we live in dangerous times. Come on the reds. Yeah happy is him indoors :) Of course your mum is cheering as well from the heavens.

[James Paranormal]

Tragedy at our doorsteps, this piece speaks of our day and the times we live in. The metaphor is absolute. This is very well written and expressed.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lost for your welcome thoughts. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Great Aunt Astri]

WHAT A POWERFUL POEM! Nature must witness many a tragic scene, and you have indicated the depth of the pain it feels so well in the lines "by blades of hate raining down, where blades of grass cry out in unimagined pain." Excellent.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review Great Aunt Astri. Looking forward to reading you again.

read moreThank you for your lovely review Great Aunt Astri. Looking forward to reading you again.

Chris

[AJNJ]

The darkness this year is bringing to us is never ending. That this act of hate was perpetrated on already vulnerable people looking for some reprieve from the rigours of the pandemic is in itself gut wrenching. The way you wrote it, just brought on tears. My heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this evil attack.

[Chris Shaw]

It's been a sad week for the community and a devastating week for the family and friends of those who died and were wounded. As you say, we are all in this fight against covid together and there are some who still have their own hateful agenda.We stand together and strong as a community and won't let this atrocity divide us. Thank you so much for your heartfelt condolences for my town Pestonjee. All good wishes to you across the miles.

Chris

[AJNJ]

You’re welcome, Ms. Chris! Stay safe and well with your family.

[Chris Shaw]

You too my friend :)

[Dave Brown]

I don't know what happened here but it seems to be an all too frequent scenario
Just one more of too many senseless tragedies.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Dave, senseless and two miles from my home on a beautiful Saturday evening. Lives lost in the blink of an eye. Makes you understand just how fragile life is and we shouldn't sweat the small stuff. Many thank yous. Next poem will be much more uplifting.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

your poem surely paints the incident in contrasts ... our lives can so quickly turn from tranquility to terror .. i don't suppose the suspect has had a trial yet ... or has he? have they made a terrorist connection? Christine .. sometimes i think we would have been better off in the days of dinosaurs .. at least each and every time one stepped out of the cave .. the danger was first and foremost .. we have become complacent ... soft targets as they say ... our "radar" dulled by too much of the "good life" ... and yet here we are .. having worked so hard (most of us) for just a little piece and place of comfort and safety ... :( well done Christine .. i think your poem is an important time piece ... a record of one more terror :((((((((((
E.

[Chris Shaw]

As if it isn:t bad enough having a virus doing its best to wipe us out, we also have people filled with hate doing their utmost to do the same. Yes, it has been deemed an act of terrorism. A lone attacker now in custody. Trial will follow at some point. He killed three and injured three with knife attacks on a peaceful Saturday evening in a beautiful park. Thank you Mr E for calling on on this and yes the contrast is stark.

Chris

[augustus]

A very topical piece and one which we all relate to. A senseless crime against humanity and you pen it precisely.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Augustus. On our doorstep. Such a tragic waste of life. We live in violent times.

Chris

[Nancy Kathleen]

This is amazing! I am flabbergasted

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Nancy. I appreciate your visit. Kind regards.

Chris

[Angelynn]

Maybe it's because of the time's we're living in, but I felt this in my core. For me, it spoke to the needless deaths we're seeing almost daily. What should be just another day doing harmless activities is often ending in tragedy. It's painful to read, but incredibly accurate. Very well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Angelynn. Never take life for granted. It can turn upside down on the spin of a coin.
read moreThank you Angelynn. Never take life for granted. It can turn upside down on the spin of a coin.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Poetry with impact!
Too many of these incidents happening; too much mindless violence.
Perhaps, it is long past time for mindful violence.
Sorry the deadly insanity came so close to you, dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

A group of friends enjoying their evening and this is what it turned into. A catastrophe. We live in sad times Jimmy. Thank you for your thoughts.

Chris