snows beauty gone
for those lost–those preparing
three untimely graves
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Usagi
The Poetic Rabbit
Copyright and Attribution Info
This work by Tawnya Smith is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.LinkedIn
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What the hell was the school district thinking? o__O That’s what snow days are for…
Anyway, a touching homage; it’s striking, the way you can say so much, with so few words.
Joseph,
Thanks for visiting and your comment. I still think about those families. Their lives are changed forever. It reminds me of what Tolkien has Theoden say about the death of his son. No parent should outlive their child.
This haiku so reminds me of one time I was at the graveyard. I noticed that there were two graves of two young men about the same age at the time of their deaths. I knew this because their pictures were on the tombstones along with their dates. The most eerie part about this was that they were brothers!
If I were to write a haiku about this experience, I would write very similar to what you captured in yours. Truly great haiku.
Nekochan,
I just had to write something. I still think about the families. I can’t imagine their grief. I have to believe they see no beauty in winter now. Thanks for sharing your experience and for the complement on the haiku.
So tragically sad.
Lisa,
I agree, those deaths are indeed tragic. Thank you for your visit and leaving a comment.
Your words were aptly put. My first thought was “OH NO” and a sinking feeling. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones.
I was quite puzzled by your words, but then when i read yours and others comment I came to realize what is it all about.
The hardest really is losing a loved one!
This work of yours, made me think a lot!
I have lived in Maine for 40 years, but winter still makes me nervous. Storys like this are so sad. Our school do most usually shut down, though.
Sandy,
There is little sadder than the death of a child. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
Young people who will be missed by many. Your haiku is a sweet tribute them.
Oh, Yousei! When I read your poem, I knew it must be something like an accident or illness, because of the word “untimely.” I was hoping it wasn’t true. Now that I see your comment, there are tears in my eyes. I am so sorry.
You are right. It is not the same snow. What was probably exciting a day before (maybe school was closed) has turned into a nightmare. As a mom, I can’t even imagine the horror.
Your poem is very powerful. It has moved me and made me think in a personal way about the people who are part of the grief. It has done what a poem should do. It has made me feel.
Julie,
Thanks for reading this and leaving a comment. I had to write something, after my husband told me about the accident. He found out after his harrowing drive to work yesterday. I don’t think the schools were closed; I know ours wasn’t. It is a difficult call for districts to make, but so tragic when something like this happens. I dread the time my own boys drive in this weather. It won’t be until after much, much, much practice. Even after twenty years living up north, my own confidence in driving in snowy weather is very low.
I’m glad the poem worked. I hate it that there was a reason to write it. I do not know the families and would not give the poem to them if I did. It would mean nothing. I can only pray for them.
Yesterday, three teenagers from a nearby school district were killed driving to school in near blizzard conditions. It is not the same snow today.