Songs for a Lost Child

Endy - thanks for your encouragement in terms of the photography. I hadn't honestly ever thought of that. As for what it signifies to me, those shepherd's huts are all over the place on these moors and because the roofs were thatched and are gone, nature has come in and reclaimed them. I guess it symbolizes to me how things- people- and entire ways of life come and go, but life goes on.

I hadn't noticed anything in anything you've written that indicated a lack of education or skills. I think you're too hard on yourself in terms of what you're good at and aren't. Whether or not a person is successful in school - especially when they're a teen-ager- is really only an indication of how willing they are to sit, listen, and regurgitate information. School at the college or university level and beyond is when intelligence and the ability to think are more called for and become more apparent and you definitely have those. But I think it's good to wait until you know you're ready and can focus instead of wasting money and time. I think we shove people onto that track way too early myself.

Anyway - I'm sure you'll figure it out. Talk to you later - Aidan

[/IMG]

When Autumn came
so came the rains
and memories of loss
But sleep, sweet child
beyond the pain
blood shed before first frost.

Your dresses plain
now wear hate's stain
your mother can't find grace
Your father's eyes
will search the skies
for glimpses of your face

Your bloom, your flower
in this dark hour
gone with thieving sorrow
fly on the wind
sweet, peaceful friend
we'll meet some new tomorrow.

*This is in memory of the little Amish girls who were killed in their classroom. If/when I doubt the existence of heaven, it's reaffirmed when children are taken like this. There has to be some better place for them...they do deserve it.

...
seems like ur a specialist in the department|!
they're great

It's happening around all of us everywhere, everyday. Just pick up a newspaper, or turn on your tv.

We should all be specialists - maybe if we all made more noise about the injustices and atrocities being visited on our children - maybe if we all acted as advocates for them and gave them a stronger voice - fewer would be "lost".

Glad you like the poems.

It's always hard to come to terms with the death of a child - where ever they might die in the world.

These deaths hit me hard also. I think because of the impact it has had on the Amish cormmunity. They seem so innocent and bewildered by a sudden attack from 'the outside world' - really makes me think of the Iraqi people - hard working families who had no real concept of the dynamics and power of an attacker from the privileged society beyond their world.

(The North American Indians also)


jesus, aidan - you are always getting to me

respect

Endy - you know - I thought about that when I wrote this this morning. I couldn't get those little girls out of my mind. Just the thought of them being tied up and shot execution style one by one in their school classroom - a place that I always loved being as a child and where I felt safe and affirmed- thinking of that turning into this horrific, terrifying living nightmare for them just killed me. Because I have been to the Amish country of Pennsylvania and it's so green and beautiful, and I have seen these people and their children and I do know what peaceful and dignified lives they try to live. And like you said - having that be blasphemed by something like this just kind of proves that nothing's sacred or safe in the life of any child.

At the same time - I felt guilty. How many thousands of Iraqi children have been killed - again, huddling, terrified, unprotected from our bombs and violence - and because it happens so far away and en masse - somehow it hasn't moved me to write a poem. I think about it when I see pictures - but honestly, it hasn't effected me in the same way - and I'm ashamed of that. I can't make any excuses. I can only say it's wrong. I know I don't attribute less value to their lives - but somehow it hasn't struck the same chord. And I'm ashamed of that.

But I did want to write a poem about that little boy who was killed in London - Daimiola I think his name was - because I saw the most beautiful picture of him - but believe it or not - I don't know how to take images from the internet that aren't jpeg and make them so. I can do it with my own pictures, but haven't really tried it with images from the internet and I would like to be able to post pictures of children on this thread that aren't from my own collection. I feel stupid asking and admitting that I have no idea how to do it - but that's the god's honest truth. Can you help me out with that?

Blimey Aidan - you're the teacher - you tell me

Seriously, I've had no problem getting images - even ones that aren't jpegs.

A couple of things might help - make sure you are clicking the picture on its actual site -
not just in the google image site- either go to "see full size" or to the actual site the picture comes from. Right click and "Copy image location"
Then sick it [IMG]HERE[/IMG]

Other than that ... I've no foggin idea

What do you mean, you have no idea? You do it all the time- you've got some great pictures on your threads.

One thing you have to understand - I could never be an IT teacher. I never even sent an e-mail until four years ago, and that was only because I had to learn how at work, so I always tend to think it's all more complicated and difficult than it really is and psych myself out about it, so I never get better at it or even really understand what, in reality, it is that I'm doing. Technology is definitely one of my areas of weakness.

But I'll try this. Thanks for your help.

Aidan,

I have read and reread your poems, especially Lullabye. It is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing those things with us, I'm sure it has touched many people.

Thanks Angie.

Travelers (for Joseph and Olivia)

You no longer knew how to be
that winter the world had grown
shadowy with regret-
when those you had always known
had flown, dissolving into distance,
fractured silence-
and charcoal air.

So you remembered yellow days-
green moments under lifting skies,
a child's laughter
that broke the clouds
and lit the earth
with ocean-colored tones.
Bathing you in waves it was

a ray of song, notes pure and
purposeful as the blood that
had pulsed between you -
as new souls dreamt beneath your skin.
Still there- it finds you and holds
you at night when you return
from your sojourns through
memory's blue door.

I've been looking at pictures- trying to put together a collage for Christmas. It's made me realize how much time has passed.

"On The Turning Away"
(Pink Floyd)
On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we won't understand
"Don't accept that what's happening
Is just a case of others' suffering
Or you'll find that you're joining in
The turning away"
It's a sin that somehow
Light is changing to shadow
And casting it's shroud
Over all we have known
Unaware how the ranks have grown
Driven on by a heart of stone
We could find that we're all alone
In the dream of the proud
On the wings of the night
As the daytime is stirring
Where the speechless unite
In a silent accord
Using words you will find are strange
And mesmerised as they light the flame
Feel the new wind of change
On the wings of the night
No more turning away
From the weak and the weary
No more turning away
From the coldness inside
Just a world that we all must share
It's not enough just to stand and stare
Is it only a dream that there'll be
No more turning away?

I was thinking about children/people with HIV and AIDS being turned away from countries in which their lives may be prolonged or saved, or at least made more bearable and pain free until they die. Coincidentally, I heard this song today for the first time in years. It made me think again about my initial response and wonder what the hell is happening in my head.

I haven't visited here in a while - just want to say I really like what you're doing. I thought your poem Travelers (for Joseph and Olivia) was exceptional.
Your comment about how much time has passed, and the third photograph
really got to me. Made me think of my own teenage years
Thanks for sharing all that. I don't know if they are your children in the pictures, but if they are, congratulations - they look like great kids.

********************************

The Pink Floyd lyrics in your latest post are so suitable

It's a sin that somehow
Light is changing to shadow
And casting it's shroud
Over all we have known

You say you don't know what's going on in your head - believe me, I can empathise with that one.
I may be 'a bit reclusive' right now, - but I'm here listening.


Peace
Endy

Hi Endy- thank you. I actually like that Travelers poem too. It's one that still speaks to me when I read it, unlike some others I've written.
Those pictures are all of Joseph and Olivia (my children) the first one when they were six and two years old, the second when they were seven and eleven years old, and the third when they were thirteen and seventeen years old. They are eighteen and fourteen years old now. The years have just passed way too quickly- and I miss the children they were. I look forward to seeing the adults they'll become, but this bit in the middle (adolescence) is a bit trying.. thus the first verse of my poem. We're making it through though..
. If/when you have children, make sure you treasure and appreciate every single minute. The time passes by before you know it.

In terms of what's going on in my head-I was referring to the fact that for a couple of minutes, when forming my opinion about immigration for people with HIV/AIDS to another more developed country, I put economics first. That's not like me, though my father (a kind man with conservative political views) always told me that as I got older, that's what I'd start doing. And I did.
But then I read about the toll HIV/AIDS is taking on Africa again, and I heard this song- on the radio- out of the blue, and I regained my sanity. What's a national economy in the face of these children? Sometimes economics and practicalities are not the most important considerations.
Because what would I do if my child was sick? I'd try to take him or her to where they could get the best care, and I'd be desperate for them to get that care, so how would I feel if my child and I were turned away, because in truth, isn't this:



Don't be such a recluse Endy- not that I can boss you around or anything- but your presence is a gift to this forum. It's less without you.

Hi Aidan
These are Really, really beautiful!!!
They actually made me picture the world from a whole different perspective! Thanks!

Thank you lostnsearching.


That's about the most meaningful compliment anyone could give anyone who tries to communicate and express him or herself through writing.

Just wanted to share this

http://www.able2know.com/forums/a2k-post2619958.html#2619958