Dusty roads frame harvested fields
dotted with red barns and white-washed
houses shuttered in black.
The day's wash waves calmly on tidy lines;
contented cows graze in fields
greened by Autumn's rain.
+ + +
October morning sun-rays
bounced off
Charlie Roberts' tank truck,
milk collected from Amish farmers
preserved in it's chilled steel cylinder.
Driven by determined wrath,
Charlie parked his pickup
at the schoolhouse door.
Commanded weeping boys to carry
boxed tools of assault
intended for use on their sisters.
Dismissed, ran home for help.
Mothers and children formed chain of prayer,
only shield they possessed.
Their neighbor set about his hideous task;
nailed boards over doors and windows,
shoved classroom furniture against them.
Gentle girls in dark dresses
lined up against chalkboard;
gunman bound their feet.
White bonnets framed tear streaked faces.
Soon God would soothe their cries.
Police joined ranks of Amish families
gathered in desperate hope.
Caution delayed approach, carnage began.
Troopers stormed through the door
as tormentor committed his final act.
Ten white bonnets stained red with rage.
Little girls lay side by side
in shared pools of blood.
Charlie Roberts,
neighbor to Amish farmers,
devoted husband and father
disturbed milkman,
murderer...
lay alone, a fatal bullet
to his head.
+ + +
Yellow crime tape surrounds
a one room schoolhouse
in Lancaster County.
Grandfather to one of the dead girls
instructs young boys;
“We hold no grudge.”
Author notes
Background a montage of:
Painting, "Going Home" by John Miller
http://www.placitasarts.org/Visual_Arts/Miller,%20John/GoingHome.jpg
"Five Amish Girls" by Bill Coleman -
Photograph found on Google Images
Tubed in PSP 9
"From Above" photographic print of cross found on art.com?
Changed to sepia tone then merged with "Going Home"
In a list
- Alienation • next in list
- Borders, Backgrounds and Wallpapers • next in list
- Social Commentary • next in list
A contest entry
- Wanted: Come Inside To See by JeannieD Hunter.
2000 points, ended April 16, 2008, 21 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Wanna play in the paint bucket? by FifthDove.
525 points, ended May 4, 2008, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Free Verse Frenzy (Prewites Only) by poetryality.
925 points, ended November 3, 2008, 51 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Finish Strong by TabbyCat.
700 points, ended November 20, 2008, 58 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Anything and Everything! [Prewrites Allowed] by Captain Amber SL.
700 points, ended April 26, 73 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - ENTER YOU GOLD WINNING POEM TO SIXTY LINES by Swan song.
900 points, ended September 5, 40 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What do you think?
Comments
1 - 26 of 26
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THE CATCH IS IT CAN ONLY HAVE WON ONE GOLD
THE SECOND CATCH IS IT CAN ONLY BE ENTERED IN THIS CONTEST AND NO OTHERS AT THE TIME OF JUDGING
a tragic tail and good poem however
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It has won only 1 gold (and a green trophy also). The poem is currently only entered in your contest also. It's most recent entry before this was in April.
I'm glad you like the poem.
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This is a heartwrenching tale of a tragedy. It has perfect flow from beginning to end, and makes me want to cry with how the poem ended. It takes a strong person indeed, after that great a loss, to immediately turn around and proclaim "We hold no grudge". Simply amazing.
I wish you the best of luck, and keep writing and improving your poetry. ^__^
Aeris Silverlight
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This just shatters your heart once again.
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You have brought to life and highlighted something that has laid hidden for far too long. This is a wonderful piece that really captures the feeling of a different group of people and their culture and customs, for better or for worse. You have a way with words and I hope to read more from you in the future!
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this is so haunting.
truthfully, i did not understand this until about half way through. the beginning was confusing to me because i did not know what was going on.
i think that the background makes the story even more chilling.
good work -
The intensity of this poem makes me feel as if I were standing in the midst of this horrific act. This is a hauntingly terrible tale, and expertly written. Thank you for this entry and I wish you well in the challenge.
Much Love & Respect ♥
Renee
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I think I want to cry> what a heartbreak tradgedy.
Very sensitively expressed, I am sure it will linger in my head for a long time.
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Bandits Auction #6
Fantastic imagery and heartfelt references to a very tragic event that broke my heart. Well put together and flows like a quiet stream.
"Grandfather to one of the dead girls
instructs young boys;
“We hold no grudge.”
Tells the story of Amish faith. Good luck in the contest.
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Yellow crime tape surrounded
a one room school house in Lancaster County.
Grandfather to one of the dead girls
overheard instructing young boys;
“We hold no grudge.”sad poem the background is great fot the words thank you for sharing your poem with the group and congratulations on your well deserved shiny
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A very sad but very well written poem here. I like the background and the colors that you’ve designed it in. Nice work on both poetry and bkgrd. Thank you for the entry and best wishes in the contest
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excellent job on this sis! it leaves me speechless. so tragic. thank you for sharing. keep writing! God bless you always
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I see why you captured the gold with this. It tells a disturbing tale and the ending was .... breath stopping!
Wonderful job. Thank you so much for sharing this. -
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Thanks! *smile*
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well deserved thought provoking gold medal winner. It is a salute to a very misunderstood group of souls. truly forgiveness is a blessing.
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Gorgeous words and background, Congratulations on the Gold
♥
Stay safe
~Manda
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Joyce
This certainly tells the story doesn't it. I don't think I heard of this one. Wonderful background. I am sure you will do good in the contest.
God Bless
Tammy -
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Thanks, Tammy!
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So so worthy of gold! An amazing piece!
Gaylene
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Thank you!
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Awesome job with both border and poem Wow Good luck
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I stand amazed. This is a fantastic write that details those horrific events that happened at the Amish school. What a terrible thing for those children and their families had to endure. Bravo..well done. Thanks for entering and good luck.
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Thank you, Jeannie. I did research for the poem.
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You are so talented!! Wow! I do wish my screen was bigger so I could see all of this!! Incredible work on this. I really appreciate it! Thanks for entering and good luck!
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I moved "the girls" a bit left for you to see better.
Just gotta write the poem now. Started it. It's a tough one to write. -
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Oh cool!! Thanks hun, you don't hafta do a poem ya know
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