It was very hard for me to listen to and read/watch the accounts. I am heartbroken for those left holding the space that was once a husband, wife, mother…
Every man, woman and child should understand this tragedy for what it was.
I am not a country music fan, but I can’t take that from them. I am not a prophet, so I could not have warned them to stay away. Alas, I am not a poet, so I could never say all you have said in so few lines. ❤ ❤ ❤
I hate that there was such a thing to write about but times like these, I feel honored to be able to call upon the power of art for a greater good. We remember our heroes. I appreciate the support, M.
How sad and how easily we forget those lives ruined by the drive for fifteen minutes of fame… I do not know why people think they have the right to buy killing machines.
The Melton’s and their very different flight home…that one really got to me. Such a powerful piece, D. You captured the horror. And I’m sorry you had to…
Things over here are similar to what you described of your home, your husband with the guns and your scarce experience with them. I sent the poem to WLP, not so much in political protest as in simple curiosity over how he might respond.
Of course I have not heard back, though I did get word that a representative will follow up with me. But what CoULd he say to words like these, to the reminder that this can’t be about rights if we lose sight of humanity?
True and I’d be so interested to have some small insight into how such minds work.
We go on, and on, and deny what is painful to face. The Denier-in-Chief at least had the decency to get up, dress up and show up, a few days later, if only to make it largely about “Himself”. As long as the denial continues, so will the pain. Yes, send it to Wayne LaPierre, a country music fan- and send it to Alex Jones. Oh, wait, it was all George Soros’s fault.
I appreciate your sharing in this, Mary. We go on, admiring our garden and meeting our friends but hundreds of lives have turned for good, grief their new friend.
Profound, compelling, horrific in verse. So very true Diana. Terror and tragedy that occurred in Las Vegas seems unreal and I am sure, that I am not alone in disbelief. I have no other words than to say how very sorry I am for the people that died and I am so very sorry for those suffering in pain and in grief.
To say Tina Frost was “wounded” doesn’t seem to cut it. She is coming out of eye and brain surgery before managing a few breaths without the aid of a ventilator. And there are people who found themselves paralyzed. What a world. Thanks, Yvonne.
Oh so very sad. The poor lady. My heart goes out to her and those that were paralyzed. There are no adequate words for the tragedies.
A moving testament for those who died, those who may wish now that they had died, and those whose bodies or minds are scarred forever. This world needs poets like you to speak of such atrocities. Thank you from someone on the other side of the world.
I really appreciate your connecting from such a distance, Lesly. The privilege is mine in reaching hearts like yours and in upholding those who showed us that night amazing bravery and beauty. And there were many men who shielded their sweethearts with their own body. Sonny was known in his community as the sweetest, kindest soul. I had to honor him. Thanks so much for the follow. =)
And I wonder will this be the one? The one to finally change things, to make people listen, as slowly it goes away to the back of the news. But this poem still stands in our grief, Thank you for these words.
Diana, You drive the reality of the moment home. Reality is subject to time and circumstance. If either had been altered, how many might have been spared this tragic event.
-Alan
Well-written, Diana, of the horror all those innocent people endured…Our daughter was recently in Vegas, and when we saw this on the news, my husband and I immediately thought of her. We’re all country music fans, but that’s irrelevant because the genre wasn’t the issue or a contributing factor. However, maybe the fact that we are hit home in a surreal manner because we could’ve been there, too. Anyway, my heart breaks for those who perished, for their loved ones, and for those who are suffering mentally and physically because of this horrific evening that should’ve been a fun night of music under the stars. Thanks for sharing.
~Lauren 💕
What got me is the reminder that we walk on sand and that the sun can wink out in an eye blink. Michelle Vo was the daughter of immigrants like me. So many young people lost limb and life. I’m so glad your daughter is safe, Lauren!! Thanks for connecting.
Exactly, Diana! It’s so hard to wrap our heads around this kind of event, even though it continues to happen. When will it end? I mean, my gosh, between these sad tragedies and Mother Nature, I really don’t like watching the news. Yet, I want to be informed, too. Finding a balance…thanks about our daughter, too…xoxo
Tragic. A poignant tribute. I had to read this beautiful piece four times, it made me ponder deep. I felt the soft entrance of moonlight you painted. This is truly beautiful, D.
I appreciate the lovely words and rereading, Chris. I enjoy the growing fullness of rereading poems. The senselessness, the keen orchestration, magnitude, and surprise of it go beyond words.
Powerful poem with poignant and raw words. As a non-American person living on the other side of the globe this poem equally touches me. I can be far from Las Vegas and from the entire American continent but your words resonate universality.
It will be good with me when tragic events stop happening to spur remembrance writings like this. This was painful to read and on point with the shock and horror remembered. May God Shower mercy, grace, and love on all hit with the reality of this event. I pray for a strong healing and forgiveness to flow from heaven to all.
One of the most stirring poems I’ve read. The sadness of this tragedy, multiplied over and over can only be fully felt as a nation when brought to light with skill and grace. You’ve done this, your words hold the raw emotion with a complex question as to the state of our nation. Powerful writing, even when heartbreaking, is something to hold and treasure.
Thanks, friend. That readers would hold up the grief and suffering of those who were there is a greater hope than that they would hold up the writing. I can’t imagine what it is to have just buried a spouse or pray your child will walk again.
This tragedy will now join the list of others we commemorate. And nothing seems to change so there will be others added to the list. Lovely but heartrending post. —- Suzanne
I am visiting via Diana at the Myths of The Mirror.
I am overflowing with emotion, but bereft of words. This is a beautiful, raw piece … “the hard copper rain found them in the spaces of surprise”. 😪
I had to do sOmething. So many people still stumbling through the stress and trauma – and they’re the ones who made it out alive. Thank you for taking the time, Joanne.
This was so personal to me. I moved back to New York City from Las Vegas in 2010. I worked at one of the casinos Downtown . I NEVER expected this to happen in Las Vegas of all places. I’m tired of asking why this continues to happen in this country but “it’s too soon to talk about gun control.” I pray for this country every day.
I appreciate your sharing. I grew up in NYC until I left for college in PA. You never thought it could happen at a festival in Vegas. And then we have the grief and trauma of those who went to the Texas church that Sunday. Unbelievable. Thanks for the follow.
What I find the hardest to reconcile is the sheer beauty that lives in some human beings and the sheer ugly that lives in others. And my fear is–is it always a choice?
A Holistic Journey 
Very hard to read. But, so very right.
It was very hard for me to listen to and read/watch the accounts. I am heartbroken for those left holding the space that was once a husband, wife, mother…
Every man, woman and child should understand this tragedy for what it was.
I am not a country music fan, but I can’t take that from them. I am not a prophet, so I could not have warned them to stay away. Alas, I am not a poet, so I could never say all you have said in so few lines. ❤ ❤ ❤
Thanks, Beth. Heather Melton wanted the world to know her husband’s name. I am so glad I can do sOmething to that end.
Pardon my lack of desire D. to comment further on something so well stated, especially noticing the intentional lower case united states……….
My capitals and lower cases are not haphazard, as you know. So sad that life often feels otherwise. We hold onto our Anchor.
Powerful!!!
Thank you.
How very tragic that a poem like this needs to be written. Thank you.
I hate that there was such a thing to write about but times like these, I feel honored to be able to call upon the power of art for a greater good. We remember our heroes. I appreciate the support, M.
Complicated, honest, brilliant. ❤
Thanks, Jack.
Unreal.
😓
Yup.
A beautiful tribute to all who have lost someone or something. God bless them all.
We ache alongside them because
we are America.
So very powerful Diana.
Thanks, Andrea. I love it: the power of art.
wrenching!!
Thanks, M. I had a hard time wrapping this one around my brain: festival turned carnage.
You caught the horror…
How sad and how easily we forget those lives ruined by the drive for fifteen minutes of fame… I do not know why people think they have the right to buy killing machines.
There are those who don’t see us as people but cattle or things. Whether murderer or Weinstein.
I can only bow to such a text.
There are times when adjectives are… superfluous…
Thanks.
We bow in honor of the dead.
The Melton’s and their very different flight home…that one really got to me. Such a powerful piece, D. You captured the horror. And I’m sorry you had to…
Yes, that really hurt my heart, V. We remember them together. It is scary how things can turn on a dime. Thanks.
A haunting accounting of what remains after evil. 😦
Like hurricanes and earthquakes aren’t tough enough.
😦
A great read but so true and powerful words
Thank you. I am glad we can hold our collective loss together.
Welcome and yes absolutely true
This is beautiful, in the way that some beautiful things are painful and make you cry ❤
Thanks, Tanya. I appreciate your joining with me on this.
Powerful and elegant in its truth-telling.
Thanks, Ina. This was the grieved work of a reporter, poet, and pugilist.
Love,
D.
Beautiful and raw and everything sad. Send it to Wayne LaPierre. He should cry, too.
Things over here are similar to what you described of your home, your husband with the guns and your scarce experience with them. I sent the poem to WLP, not so much in political protest as in simple curiosity over how he might respond.
Of course I have not heard back, though I did get word that a representative will follow up with me. But what CoULd he say to words like these, to the reminder that this can’t be about rights if we lose sight of humanity?
True and I’d be so interested to have some small insight into how such minds work.
We go on, and on, and deny what is painful to face. The Denier-in-Chief at least had the decency to get up, dress up and show up, a few days later, if only to make it largely about “Himself”. As long as the denial continues, so will the pain. Yes, send it to Wayne LaPierre, a country music fan- and send it to Alex Jones. Oh, wait, it was all George Soros’s fault.
Interesting how this one took a political turn. Thanks.
Poignant and raw.
Thank you, Ken. Holes left in hundreds of lives that nothing will close.
This is awesome and touching impactful writing! Thank you for your words that leave me reeling!
I appreciate your sharing in this, Mary. We go on, admiring our garden and meeting our friends but hundreds of lives have turned for good, grief their new friend.
Diana
Profound, compelling, horrific in verse. So very true Diana. Terror and tragedy that occurred in Las Vegas seems unreal and I am sure, that I am not alone in disbelief. I have no other words than to say how very sorry I am for the people that died and I am so very sorry for those suffering in pain and in grief.
To say Tina Frost was “wounded” doesn’t seem to cut it. She is coming out of eye and brain surgery before managing a few breaths without the aid of a ventilator. And there are people who found themselves paralyzed. What a world. Thanks, Yvonne.
Oh so very sad. The poor lady. My heart goes out to her and those that were paralyzed. There are no adequate words for the tragedies.
A moving testament for those who died, those who may wish now that they had died, and those whose bodies or minds are scarred forever. This world needs poets like you to speak of such atrocities. Thank you from someone on the other side of the world.
I really appreciate your connecting from such a distance, Lesly. The privilege is mine in reaching hearts like yours and in upholding those who showed us that night amazing bravery and beauty. And there were many men who shielded their sweethearts with their own body. Sonny was known in his community as the sweetest, kindest soul. I had to honor him. Thanks so much for the follow. =)
Diana
That is a very powerful commentary.
Glad to hear, Ian. We honor those who grieve and the heroes who cared for other lives more than their own.
Life. Hurts. Thank you for putting it into words that honors those whose lives were lost and altered forever.
You’re right, Deb. Living hurts, and we often die again and again. Thank you.
Peace to all who suffer this tragedy in so many and diverse ways…
Said it well, A. Diverse.
And I wonder will this be the one? The one to finally change things, to make people listen, as slowly it goes away to the back of the news. But this poem still stands in our grief, Thank you for these words.
I appreciate that, JC. And that’s right. The “news” will fade but lives have turned for good.
Your expression of this tragedy is well written, touches the heart. Sad day. Very Sad Day. Thank you
Thank you, R. The ground can pull from under us any moment. We cling to our Rock.
Diana, You drive the reality of the moment home. Reality is subject to time and circumstance. If either had been altered, how many might have been spared this tragic event.
-Alan
Something I mull often, Alan, how it takes only a fleeting decision to set us upon a great course, for better or worse. Thank you.
Well-written, Diana, of the horror all those innocent people endured…Our daughter was recently in Vegas, and when we saw this on the news, my husband and I immediately thought of her. We’re all country music fans, but that’s irrelevant because the genre wasn’t the issue or a contributing factor. However, maybe the fact that we are hit home in a surreal manner because we could’ve been there, too. Anyway, my heart breaks for those who perished, for their loved ones, and for those who are suffering mentally and physically because of this horrific evening that should’ve been a fun night of music under the stars. Thanks for sharing.
~Lauren 💕
What got me is the reminder that we walk on sand and that the sun can wink out in an eye blink. Michelle Vo was the daughter of immigrants like me. So many young people lost limb and life. I’m so glad your daughter is safe, Lauren!! Thanks for connecting.
Xxx
D.
Exactly, Diana! It’s so hard to wrap our heads around this kind of event, even though it continues to happen. When will it end? I mean, my gosh, between these sad tragedies and Mother Nature, I really don’t like watching the news. Yet, I want to be informed, too. Finding a balance…thanks about our daughter, too…xoxo
Tragic. A poignant tribute. I had to read this beautiful piece four times, it made me ponder deep. I felt the soft entrance of moonlight you painted. This is truly beautiful, D.
I appreciate the lovely words and rereading, Chris. I enjoy the growing fullness of rereading poems. The senselessness, the keen orchestration, magnitude, and surprise of it go beyond words.
Xxx
D.
Powerful poem with poignant and raw words. As a non-American person living on the other side of the globe this poem equally touches me. I can be far from Las Vegas and from the entire American continent but your words resonate universality.
Thank you. Bleeding and dying are universal.
Yes, exactly.
It will be good with me when tragic events stop happening to spur remembrance writings like this. This was painful to read and on point with the shock and horror remembered. May God Shower mercy, grace, and love on all hit with the reality of this event. I pray for a strong healing and forgiveness to flow from heaven to all.
A beautiful benison. Thanks so much, Dennis.
One of the most stirring poems I’ve read. The sadness of this tragedy, multiplied over and over can only be fully felt as a nation when brought to light with skill and grace. You’ve done this, your words hold the raw emotion with a complex question as to the state of our nation. Powerful writing, even when heartbreaking, is something to hold and treasure.
Thanks, friend. That readers would hold up the grief and suffering of those who were there is a greater hope than that they would hold up the writing. I can’t imagine what it is to have just buried a spouse or pray your child will walk again.
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Thanks so much. I felt – in truth – that this was one of the more important things I have written.
Xxx
D.
This tragedy will now join the list of others we commemorate. And nothing seems to change so there will be others added to the list. Lovely but heartrending post. —- Suzanne
Thanks, Suzanne. Sadness and appreciation.
I am visiting via Diana at the Myths of The Mirror.
I am overflowing with emotion, but bereft of words. This is a beautiful, raw piece … “the hard copper rain found them in the spaces of surprise”. 😪
I had to do sOmething. So many people still stumbling through the stress and trauma – and they’re the ones who made it out alive. Thank you for taking the time, Joanne.
Brilliant.
I appreciate that. Thanks so much for reading.
Reblogged this on Site Title.
Thank you. I’m glad you appreciated it.
So very sad. Always say, “I love you,” even when you’re mad.
Thanks for the read and the reminder, Michele.
Powerful poem. I’m glad that you found a way to honor those who suffered and those fell ( in what is starting to seem like a battle).
Battle is right, Albert. Not sure what’s happening with this country. Thanks for the support.
Wow! Amazing and moving. Simply brilliant. Thank you. God bless you.
I appreciate the good word.
This is so real and heartbreaking. At the same time, beautifully said.
I appreciate the thoughtful feedback, Pablo. I can’t imagine having to face a new normal like all these lives.
This was so personal to me. I moved back to New York City from Las Vegas in 2010. I worked at one of the casinos Downtown . I NEVER expected this to happen in Las Vegas of all places. I’m tired of asking why this continues to happen in this country but “it’s too soon to talk about gun control.” I pray for this country every day.
I appreciate your sharing. I grew up in NYC until I left for college in PA. You never thought it could happen at a festival in Vegas. And then we have the grief and trauma of those who went to the Texas church that Sunday. Unbelievable. Thanks for the follow.
I know, a church. We have no decency left if you can’t be safe in a church for God’s sake .
Oh wow, Diana. Just wow. I have no words, just going let this one sit with me.
Moving.
Thanks, Steph. It’s a difficult holiday season for many.
Yes, it is.
This is amazing and very powerful!
Thank you for taking the time.
What I find the hardest to reconcile is the sheer beauty that lives in some human beings and the sheer ugly that lives in others. And my fear is–is it always a choice?
It is, friend. A truth and a responsibility so many of us don’t acknowledge.
This iis a great post
Thanks very much, Rich.