Blacksburg

A rap poem composed shortly after the Virginia Tech shooting. Some thought this in bad taste to be rhyming and posted so soon after. Others disagreed. Was a featured poem.

 

Blacksburg

 

Blacksburg’s black day

made the network’s bonanza

as every anchor, some with rancor

painted pictures of blood stained walls,

burial halls that were classrooms,

death angel in silence, in gloom

saw no mark to pass over,

no four leaf clover.

Luck runs out as we shout

for splattered students,

Holocaust prof heroes,

students launching out windows,

as we set out our scapegoat -

some administration’s decisions

our news nose turned up in derision

with news of the hour upon hour,

glad the shooter was dead

and the devil in his head

that no one knows or says

where it came or where it went, the man was bent

and so many knew it, construed it,

brought their frightened minds to it,

saw the hate but just wait

till all exploded, his Glocks loaded.

 

The way of the news is to shout it all out,

the pitch high as a kite while we ignite

with the thrill of the moment the second the hour.

We feel the power of events as they blast them.

Just ask them

so we know what to think and rethink,

know what’s the news and the old

don’t care what grows mold or turns sour,

mundane or profane it won’t matter,

our thoughts soon scatter.

Thirty-three in one place is a lot.

That’s what’s hot when there’s no war at home,

no street drugs or crime, HIV’s out of time.

There’s no starvation indignation,

no deaths on the roads from drinking

from driving, no conniving

to steal from the middle or poor,

show them the door as wealth

rules the day, pays its way

into power. We won’t even glower,

Watch the news as we’re told to

our brave new world view.

One nine eight four has the floor

as we can’t even think

from the stench on the brink.

Wrongful death is what sells,

like Kismet in Hell

if it’s packaged just right

evil rules all day and all night.

  

David P. Eckert

Reviews

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I liked the beginning of this a lot David but don't really think a debate about the shootings is really appropriate right now by anyone but the media. The massacre is still so fresh on the consciousness of society, including me who happens to be a college student. I cringe at seeing photos, and unfortunately could not finish your poem.

[Ed Rector]

i enjoyed this but it doesn't seem to be one of your best in my opinions... it did keep reading through the poem and managed to drag me back in when i was floating off but just not one of your best....

[Wsn Radio On Writerscaf..]

thank you so much for your submission! we wish you luck!

[Gandré]

I find it very important and watchful that you wrote this work. A great voice against violence. You were able to lend even such a sad topic a poetic character. I liked it, David!

[M. Andre Vancrown]

Somewhere along the line the media began to get its wires crossed and thought itself part of a competing entertainment industry . . . lacking the compassion the Fourth Estate at least showed on the face of tragic events, back in the days before Fox News and CNN eye candy correspondents. You took an ironical tone to package your outrage and while some may be overly sensitve (as is their right, to be or go emo at any time over any subject, no matter how remote or disconnected from their own lives) I'm not sure that timing enters into it. I can maybe lend an ear to the argument that rhyme seems whimsical here, but I wouldn't put any heat on you for making that choice. Sometimes a funhouse mirror demonstrates the ridiculous state of affairs . . . that have nothing at all to do with specific events, so much as the true subject here, which is obviously about how the news is presented to the public . . . and I suppose it's easy to get one's themes confused in the jumble when the pain's still fresh. And as with reviewers and newspersons alike, one must always consider the source.

Michael

[Cari Lynn Vaughn]

I think that writing this must have been very therapeutic and not all inappropriate. (Some people are just way too sensitive if you ask me.) Although sometimes time and distance can improve perspective, your poem was was wonderful because it was white hot with raw emotion.
It was a very thoughtful and thought-provoking piece. Thank you for sharing.

[Amy Widmer]

Wow... truly honest and heartfelt. I like this... thanks for sharing.

[Linda Crawford Ortiz]

David. Unlike many, I view the timing perfect. It needs written while fresh to capture the media's maniacal saturation...which it is so want to do. First it was Anna Nicole's son, then Anna herself, then her daughter, now Alec Baldwin 'reading out' his daughter...where did the real news go? I like your pace--does sound like rap--and your choice of topics covered. People did not care for the ideas of Jonathan Swift in his day either; but I have a long-lasting love affair with satire and irony. The only thing that tops it is out-and-out truth being spit out and chewed up. "One nine eight four has the floor"...you gotta believe it. This is power in every sense of the word--one idea, one focus, one breath...I feel the sincerity, and the worry for society's belief 'in the system'. Applause! Applause!

[Ron Cole]

Very well written by one who is expert and professional in dealing with the human condition and human events! Caring people around the world are numbed and horrified at the depravity and senselessness of the terrible event! To me, when I think beyond my sorrow and shock at such a tragic event, the message is clear. We need to facilitate, or even require, a cadre of hopefully willing educators at every institution (both pre-college and college) to be legally armed, and form a legal concealed carry security force within the schools! The first year after the State of Texas passed concealed carry legislation, violence against persons dropped 60%!

[S. Casey]

I could read the end 2/3 of this poem with a good rhythm, and I don't think it's too soon to discuss it, but some of the wording in the very beginning paragraph seems awkward, like "bonanza". Otherwise, I found it interesting.

[C. Harter Amos]

The rhyme and reasoning of the poem were better than just good, but it's still too fresh an event to read it well. I don't think I could even approach the subject to write about it for a while yet. Brave soul to tackle such a sensitive topic. Thanks for the depth and beauty, and your clear eye on the media. Can't say 'I enjoyed the read', but it did strike my heart. - Mimi.