open the sky
with your teeth
and all light escaped
as you passed through.
Now every day teeters
on the brink
of another holocaust:
we grind guilt
to dust
and dare not
recall the signs
we missed
without mercy.
We have inherited
your darkest hour,
enshrined your despair
beyond earthly hope
of reparation.
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This poem is written with words from my Skylover Wordlist for March and in reply to Joy Ann Jones' call for Flash 55 at Verse Escape, both of which have given me the structure to write down in words the raw emotion I am feeling after the tragic death of a student.
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This is also an open invitation to anyone who wants to join me in writing poetry from this list of words. If you would like me to read and comment on your post, please paste the link in the comments section below or you can tag me on Instagram.
I look forward to all poems linked to this prompt, but apologize in advance if it takes me a while to read and respond. Thank you for your patient understanding.
ReplyDeleteHaving had this experience with an adolescent family member, I know that words are very difficult to find when your heart is suddenly broken by the onslaught of the feelings you describe so eloquently here. You have my deepest and sincerest sympathies,Kerry, and thank you for offering these words to share with us. Sometimes there just are no answers, and all we can do is absorb, hurt, and remember.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy. I feel gutted and frustrated, and a pervading sense of doom. Not sure poetry is the right measure but these words came together.
DeleteJust wrenching. I'm so sorry, Kerry. Love, love to you and all of your loved ones and students and the people who loved your student.
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend.
DeleteThose first 5 lines knocked me out of my chair. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI love it when it's Skylover word list time. Let me get to work...
Thank you, Shay.
DeleteAnd...I am so very sorry to hear that you lost a student. :-(
ReplyDeleteHere is my silliness.
ReplyDeletehttps://fireblossom-wordgarden.blogspot.com/2020/03/merciless.html
I love the whole scene you describe!
DeleteI am so sorry, Kerry. One always carries that wondering, at what signs were missed. The image of the child opening the sky with his or her teeth and slipping through is heartrending. How devastating for all concerned, at school and at home.
ReplyDeleteHere is what your words brought forth:
ReplyDeletehttps://stardreamingwithsherrybluesky.blogspot.com/2020/03/a-shrine-to-hopefulness.html
Thank you for your kind words, Sherry, and for sharing your poem with me.
DeleteI am working on a response to the excellent word list above;when I have something I will be back to post and read.
ReplyDeleteQuite a wrestling match to get this to come out, but your word list was triumphant,Kerry:
ReplyDeletehttps://versiscape-lifesentences.blogspot.com/2020/03/ghost-in-mirrorlight.html
Wonderful! I can't wait to read your poem. Thanks for joining in, Joy.
DeleteIt has been a long time since I last returned to the poetic universe of the web. It's lovely to return to your lines once again.Now that Toads and Poets United are closed, I hope you can guide me to some new platform where I may read your works and those of Marian,Mary, Kim and others I used to read so often in the past.
ReplyDelete"Grind guilt to dust," this is such a strong and evocative image, Kerry!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Just read the accompanying note.