Victims

This poem was inspired by the tragic events on September 27, 2006, when Emily Keyes was murdered and five other girls were held hostage and molested at a high school in Bailey, Colorado. This poem is dedicated to those children – and acknowledges that the survivors are also victims of this tragedy.

Victims

Dark ripples spread –
fraternal twins, hatch
from the tragic bones.

I see the Dove,
stirring,
in the froth and foam.
I pray,
Society suckles the Survivor –
the lily white face,
of injured Innocence.

Pay no heed
to Her dark sibling,
boiling rage.
Featherless survivor,
clad in Pain, eyes silver and flat.
There is no reflection
in that gaze. Save of
old bones and dried up feathers.

Choose
to pull the Dove from
the stench
of sundered Life. Slip your hand,
into the slick place
where Creation itself,
pulses, warm and wet.

Cradle Her
damaged, fluttering –
heart in your hand.

Her wings will grow strong,
blood and bone knit,
and with a breath of wind,
she will fly – unhampered,

through cold November skies.

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Standard news regarding The Wild Animal Sanctuary: For those who have not heard, Colorado has an awesome wildlife refuge that rescues wolves, bears, tigers, lions, and various other exotic animals from private owners who are unable to properly care for them. After 27 years of service, they are being forced to close their doors due to lack of funding. PLEASE BE A PART OF THE FIGHT TO SAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS!!! If only 7,500 people a year donated $1,000 - the Sanctuary could survive. The Sanctuary may not find a millionaire - but they can find a million people, each with a dollar.