Tragic sensation

She had something special planned. 

A gift of love for the one she loved. 

A surprise gift waiting for him under the warm morning hours of the South African skies. 

That's what everyone said or tweeted - news came quickly.

Called an angel by most with a heart of gold, she planned the perfect Valentine's surprise.

But that day was her last. 

To tragically die on a day the world stood against rape and violence.

They say she was to encourage girls at a school to succeed you know.

He had gained notable status.

Symbol of triumph over tribulation, hero to those without legs encouraged to finish the race strong. 

His picture graced Nike endorsements, city billboards, and at one time the screen saver of my iMac. 

They say he killed her on purpose. 

Now he sits in a Pretoria jail cell. 

Ditched by the companies who put him on a pedestal.

(How quickly an athlete goes from inspiration to repulsion)

News came quickly, left swiftly, at least here on American soil.

Pictures of her flashed before men, who slobber over her hot body without respect for her lost soul.

Crude jokes decorate the blogs.

Athletes remain in shock.

Speculation circles the news desks

While we all whisper, could it be? Could this be?

Was he not the symbol of hope for a country that has endured racial tragedy? 

Inspiration rolled into one - now shattered like crystal glass? 

Fearfully, we hope, we pray, or at least I pray -

This is not a rendition of 1994

When a Bronco sped down the freeway

and murder became synonymous with O.J. 

Ambivalence irks me. 

Was it accidental or murder?

A tragic mistake, or premeditated? 

Will she be remembered for her inner beauty,

or gawked at by lustful men, even after they  bury her?

Will the truth come out? 

Will wrongs be made right

Will this unite or divide?

Or will we move on to other news with nonchalance?

No one speaks of it here. Maybe because it isn't on American soil. 

But some of us think of it. Someone we admired fallen.

Someone we should have known, tragically lost. 

Valentine's Day ruined for some

Day of fighting violence against women ironically remembered. 

I'll never  remember the Olympics the same. 

Just don't let this become another O.J. 

Please.

Please

Please

Don't let this become another O.J. 

Author's Note

Maybe I'm the first one who dares to write about this poetically, but the news still shocks me. Let me know what you think.

Reviews

[Rick Puetter]

What do I think? I like this. An apt musing on these events. Nicely done and greatly enjoyed. High marks, too.

Very best regards,

Rick

[B-poet]

Very intriguing. It's a shame how jealousy can drive someone to do something that's torrid beyond belief of anyone's ethical standards. Love the writing style you've displayed to convey the powerful underlying message within your poem. People put on pedestals actually fall from grace harder than their admirers. Great write. :)

[Joanna Johnson]

Thank you....quite honestly, I'm still shocked/ambivalent about the whole Pisturius thing...and I remember the whole O.J circus. On the one hand it's sad to see someone you admire fall, but on the other hand, we tend to forget the victims. That is sad.
And yes, those people we put on pedastals do fall. We tend to be in denial, thinking that they're these great people without flaws, I know I did when I saw Barbara Walter's interview of Pisturius....but then he was like anyone else, in trouble for short tempers/ drinking -something many of us have done ourselves. We have to be careful of who we put on pedastals, like you said, no one is perfect.

[zainul]

The news of the tragic event has been published in our newspaper too.
I agree with your feelings.
The piece explains the situation about the fate of women.
I express my solidarity with you.

[Joanna Johnson]

Thank you. Yes it is sad. What is worse is that, at least in America, our news tends to be American-focused. It may last a day or two but then we move on to other things, as if we're more important. I had to find out this news looking at BBC online. It is too bad newspapers don't focus on the women affected by such tragedies...maybe there would be more awareness to fight violence against women then

[zainul]

Thanks for sharing very important information.
Yes,you are very correct,there would be more awareness to fight violence against women if due coverage and follow-up were ensured in print media.