Let Our Hearts Fly
My heart is heavy with the news of the school shooting today. I’ve used my creative efforts in a poem and image. May we remember the innocent children, the adults who tried to protect them, and the families they leave behind.
Let Our Hearts Fly
A cardinal
flashing red in the bare winter landscape
innocent of my intent
I missed my shot, my camera open to receive too much light
yet it was then that I heard
of the shooting of other innocent birds
on this brilliant morning
colorful plumage
melodic chatter
gathered in a trusted place
a flash of red
too many left behind
others holding hands
closing eyes to run.
No.
Please let it not be so.
For those who can no longer fly
let our hearts fly to be with them
flashing red in the brilliant and bare winter morning.
Poem © B.E. Kazmarski
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.
This brings tears. Thank you for writing….
Thank you, my friends.
Thank you for these beautiful and comforting words, Bernadette. It’s still so hard to imagine a human being could have done this – I just don’t understand.
Chris, thanks, it’s really a hard one to deal with, and you just endured a mall shooting.
Beautiful, Bernadette. You capture what we are all feeling – helpless, stunned, begging it to not be so.
Thanks, Peg, I could hardly keep it in and I’m so glad I could share it.
I too, felt compelled to write to find a way to channel my feelings and I continue to be at a loss. I don’t know how we will ever come to true grips over something this senseless and tragic, but it certainly does let us know just how fragile and fleeting life is. Thank you for this beautiful poem and for sharing your thoughts.
Deb, this is one that I think will change us.
This is beautiful, Bernadette. The imagery of letting our hearts fly to be with those who can no longer fly is comforting.Thank you for giving us this gift.
Thank you, Ingrid, it’s still with me this morning but I’m glad I can share a bit of peace and beauty.
thank you so much for this.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I needed to share.