A few weeks ago, there were shots fired in a premiere mall in the city where I live, Toronto. Two people were killed and also a child who was hit required brain surgery. A pregnant mother was injured in the chaos that followed. A young girl, who witnessed the shooting but wasn't physically harmed, told her father after,
" Fireworks belong in the sky, not inside people." Her words and this photo were my inspiration.
Picture courtesy of Tess Kincaid
Fisticuffs and Fireworks
Fireworks do belong up in the sky
Not in my mouth, in my cheek or my eye.
Colorful shells raining down, brightly drips
Purple-red like your face, like this blood on my lips.
The taunting, the teasing, the name calling too,
The need to feel power, from bullies like you!
The need for acceptance, glows bright in your eyes,
Much like those fireworks, there in the skies.
Raging bullets of anger, fired at will
Now are we even? Have you settled my bill?
Who is your next victim? The many or few?
Too many to name? Would a stealth bomber do?
One fuse alights and the rest wait in line.....
Mocking and laughing, how their influence shines!
They bring me to tears, to this prayer on my knees
Everyone JUST stop this bullying please!
Fireworks do belong up in the sky
Not in my mouth, in my cheek or my eye.
Colorful shells raining down, brightly drips
Purple-red like your face, like this blood on my lips.
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Because I think Katy Perry's song has been over played everywhere, I chose a classical piece instead, complete with a fireworks display. Enjoy!
I'm on PEI and we heard about the shooting in Toronto. It's becoming the same these days in Halifax and Moncton too. A lot of it is drug related. Such a great shame that innocent people get caught up in the crossfire and have to get hurt or, die. I agree with the young girl, the firework belong in the sky not in people's bodies.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely said Linda.
Daydreamertoo,
DeleteI thought that was a profound observation from one so small. I abhor the violence in the world these days. Thank you for the PEI perspective and the thoughtful comments. Glad you stopped by today.
What sad intro, my prayers go out to everyone and that little girl.Thank
ReplyDeleteQuotes,
DeleteThe intro is sad, but so is the prompt this week, don't you think? I appreciate that you visited here and left your prayers and reflections. Thank you.
This is a poem that sits closely with me as the crime in this country is horrendous. Daily murders are the norm. Note I said murders and not murder. Many are drug and gang related and remain unsolved. It's likely that people know who 'did it; but money talks and bs walks.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you used this young girl's words to write a poem of note.
Bee,
ReplyDeleteDrugs and gangs are a problem and it was the cause of the mall shooting here in Toronto. It is a sad statement too, that murders are the norm. What a world!! Thank you for visiting today and leaving these reflections and ever so kind comments. =D
Too many like this making the rounds these days. A fervent prayer to STOP!
ReplyDeleteThere are way too many, Lyn. I think we need to at least try to curb the growth pattern a little, make a dent or something. Thank you for visiting and leaving your thoughtful reflections. =D
DeleteWow - what a poignant take!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this poignant comment Shers. I am grateful for these kind words and for your visit here.
Deletei like raging bullets of anger
ReplyDelete;) i used fisticuffs in mine toooo...how could one not???
done for
Zongrik,
DeleteFisticuffs is a term I remembered from my childhood. It seemed applicable to Orson Welles and it is so fitting. I enjoyed your thoughts and I thank you for coming by to leave them here.
I live near Toronto and yes, I read those shooting at Eaton. Fireworks indeed belong to the sky, not the people ~
ReplyDeleteGreat take ~
Grace,
DeleteThe Mayor likes to say Toronto is not violent, the press reports do differ, with shootings everyday, especially in the summer months. I thought the young girl was wise for her years. Thank you for these reflections Grace. I appreciate your visit.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSuch dreadful activities where people buy ice cream and try on shoes. What is so important that it is worth a life? Lovely wordsmith.
ReplyDeleteTabor,
DeleteMost of the shootings are drug related but that doesn't excuse them in my mind. You are so right about bringing violence to family shopping spots and that mall is a tourist destination. It is so wrong. I appreciate your sweet comment regarding my poetry. Thanks so much Tabor. =D
I like the repetition of the first/last stanza. Wonderful piece!
ReplyDeleteLaurie,
DeleteThe repetition of the first stanza is a technique used in many of the poems I remember from my childhood. It gives the poem added emphasis at the end, don't you think?
Fireworks do belong in the sky...I like how you repeat the first stanza at the end...
ReplyDeleteTess,
DeleteI thought that statement was profound coming from a little person. Repeating the first stanza at the end, brings the poem full circle to all the places you want it to go. Thanks for stopping in Tess. I am always appreciative all the work you put into this forum. Thanks again. =D
i agree completely...bullying must be stopped and when we see it we should stand up and do something...not just become a face int he crowd...this is def ont he hot seat now with all the cases coming to light..and i hope it stays that way until we root it out...
ReplyDeleteBrian,
DeleteIt is all about bullying isn't it? I agree 100% with what you have said here. People need to feel they are in charge of their own lives and dreams. When that is taken away, they either wilt away or fight back, bullying. John Lennon song... power to the people.... Thanks for the thought provoking comments, my friend. =D
"The need to feel power,"
ReplyDeleteSo true...so sad.
Hannah,
DeleteWe definitely need to give our children (I wish they came with manuals) a sense of power and some dreams from a very early age. It's like the song.... "I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside, give them a sense of pride." Thanks for visiting and leaving your supportive words.
You took the image and turned it into something current and so relevant. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteHelen,
DeleteI think the drug and alcohol problems of the dirty thirties, on into the forties, continue to be a problem today. The need for power and money seems to drive some people to desperate places. Thank you for the supportive comments you left. =D
well done! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteKathe,
DeleteThank you for the applause, Kathe. I appreciate the support and I continue to be inspired by the quality of writing at the Mag every week. I enjoy my Sunday poetry immersions. =D
...The taunting, the teasing, the name calling...so true! Yes fireworks belong in the sky, absolutely! A most lovely tribute for such a horrible experience and of course true and lovely straight from the heart words of a child! The best kind of words spoken.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
DeleteBullying is horrible. Unchecked it always escalates. How sad that a girl so young had to see the results when she was out shopping with her family. I love the comments you left here and I have to say, "Out of the mouth of babes...." . It all rings so true. Thank you.
Beautifully put, tragic and true.
ReplyDeleteDana,
DeleteAww..... thank you for the beautiful comment. =D I appreciate your very kind support.
Wonderful words from a young girl, and a wonderful poem to take them a step further.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
=)
Sue,
DeleteMaybe it's my background working with children, but they so often tell it like it is, don't they? I so loved what the young girl said! Thanks to Tess, you and all my Mag people for encouraging my poetry pursuits. Love my Sundays. =D
Excellent, for both rhyme and meter - two things most folks don't seem to care much about. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBerowne,
DeleteI love rhyme and meter, also lyrics. It's older, but so am I. I enjoyed your comments here, Thank you for stopping in.
Fireworks ! , great analogy of the rage , is rage the result of our "endless cheerful conformity" , our powerlessness in the face of all the crap that is happening , our repression . Makes me wonder how we can let it out safely . Poetry is a good start i reckon !
ReplyDeleteKutamun,
DeleteMy husband was a therapist and I know therapy always includes expressive responses to problem solving. Poetry, painting, sculpting, acting and dancing are all forums that allow a person to creatively work through their negative emotions, in a non abusive way. People remaining intact is the goal. Of course, social mores that ignite such rage and anger need to be addressed too. Poetry and the Mag are fantastic venues of expression.... I reckon too. I love your insights and I thank you for sharing them, here.
That incident sounds awful and it’s telling that it would be a youngster who came up with the fireworks phrase, She gave you food for thought and you, in turn, have given us some powerful lines.
ReplyDeleteLittle Nell,
ReplyDeleteThe incident was unusual for a Toronto shopping mall. I thought the youngster's words were brilliantly expressed. I think the prompt was a powerful image, too! Thank you for stopping by to leave some support and insight. Much appreciated. =D
thanks Linda for your comment,sorry for late reply,and lovely post.
ReplyDeleteSunny,
DeleteThank you for coming by and leaving this very kind message. =D
This is really so good. For my money it would stand on its own merits without the back story being told. It is all there, beautifully expressed, in the verses - and especially in passages like:
ReplyDeleteNow are we even? Have you settled my bill?
Who is your next victim? The many or few?
Too many to name? Would a stealth bomber do?
A strong, fine poem.
Dave,
DeleteI thank you for popping in and leaving your gracious support. I am glad you enjoyed my efforts. =D
Oh, my! Murder in your city mall? How awful. Your inspiration worked beautifully with the prompt in the result of a fabulous poem! What a profound thing for a wee lass to say.
ReplyDeleteps........I'd put Handel over KP any day!!
Helena,
DeleteThe police are doing great work rooting out the violence and cracking down on the gangs, the drugs and the guns. Yay!! Thank you so much for these kind words about my poem. I loved the words of the young girl and I wanted to include them here. Handel has been brilliant for centuries, hasn't he? =D