the flower and the next moment

a dear innocent loving child  of five

finds a dandelion on the ground

and he picks it 

and presents it to a man or woman or many

who are wearing stars

he does so with an open heart

he loves the flower, 

he loves his parents, 

he loves the man with the star

within a moment's time  

gun shots reign

and those who remain upright

march --  march to their gas chambered death

perhaps the little child

did not have to march

but in an instant

all was clearly black

as he held his  precious flower,

ready to give to another,,,

marilyn nepp sturner    2018

Reviews

[Mrudula Rani]

The gun violence has a grip on the world now, here in our country every day news is filled with victims of this evil act. Most of the stray bullets take children as victims. Your gentle poem paints very powerful images.

[marilyn 1225]

Mrudula, thank you for reading and for your very kind and thoughtful and sad comment

[Ghost]

A sad truthful and honest write... This shows that the times of life are harder then it was in the past.. Thank you for sharing

[marilyn 1225]

thanks so much for your insight and kind words.. m

[sette]

so sad and a tragedy to be witnessed and experienced by a child