"The Fallen Rainbow ' dedicated to the victims of the Orlando shooting 6/2016 by Womensvoice1
This week began with the horrendous events in Orlando. I was speechless and shocked by the events, and so sad that any community should have to endure such a purposefully cold blooded massacre. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to experience such an horrific event, and those who survived will never be the same again. My heart goes out to each and every one of you affected, and my most sincere condolences to you and your families.
It leaves me wondering, amongst many others, about what we are becoming, and what will be for our children's children.
What was heartening, was the almost immediate outpouring of love and compassion and support for the Latino, and LGBT community; from complete strangers in the immediate vicinity, and from people all over the world.
Left speechless and not knowing what to say, many turned to Art to express their empathy, or their sentiment. Social media blew up with messages and wishes and prayers and some very moving soliloquies. Powerless to do anything much myself, I composed two pieces of photographic art, and dedicated them to those effected, to send a message of solidarity.
As the week has progressed, I have written a poem to express my thoughts, and to try to deal with the grief that I am feeling for those who have lost so many young friends and family members.
I have also chosen a few pieces I found on Instagram, composed by artists reaching out to those in the clutches of grief .
I will begin with my poem
DEDICATED TO ORLANDO
I heard the news it stopped me dead
my hand to mouth I stifled dread
not knowing how or why or when
I listened to the news again
My god ! What monster did this thing?
what was his goal, what was he thinking?
As soon as news announced his name
the media swooped, all Muslims blamed
and then his cry, his ISIS claim
Yet, as inquiring unfolds
there's more to him yet left untold
His violent history came to light
his first wife fled domestic fights
It seems conflicted sexuality
aroused his cold brutality
and coupled with his twisted soul
self detonated and achieved his goal
So many innocent lives aborted
by this pathologically contorted
freak,
a man so angry so full of rage
he planned this dreadful mass carnage
The young, the straight, the gay, Transgender
All in their early prime and tender
years ,
What waste ! What heinous, hideous distaste
What on earth are we becoming?
It's inexpressively mind-numbing
Are we such a regressed race
an involuted, sad disgrace
that we should should allow a psychopath
to buy guns designed for a bloodbath ?
To enable deeds like this to be planned?
How lax gun laws are in this land !
I watched frontline on KERA
about the rise of the NRA
and how powerful they have become
despite attempts to overcome
since Columbine and Sandy Hook
parents have urged to take a look
at gun restriction, not disarm
but develop laws to save from harm
these innocents who meet their fate..
for them, safe gun laws are too late
The NRA has become a monarchy
sprinkled with a dose of anarchy
they seem to be above the law
with powerful money, and "Ben Hur "
"Out of my cold dead hands," he said
as Charlton smiles on the children dead
"Guns don't kill people ", quote..
the NRA say with a gloat
"People kill people", is what they say
"It's our right to buy guns come what may "
Well why don't we sell them at 7-11 ?
The NRA's answer to gunslinger's heaven
In Europe and England we rarely see shooting
in domestic disturbance or public disputing
guns are not sold as a rule to the crowds
License for culling or hunting's allowed
as long as you're carefully screened and accepted
as long as the law is upheld and respected
Mass shootings in Europe are thankfully rare
yet America exceeds in her doctrinaire
defending the Second to the Nth degree
enabling the practice of banditry
To the families and friends of those lost in Orlando
while they partied and danced in their social fandango
I express my sincerest, and heartfelt desire
that out of this sadness will spark a new fire
of inclusion, acceptance, respectfulness, grace
no matter what religion, sexuality, or race
let's stand up and protest the senseless demise
of those who were killed, not stifle our cries
but offer up blessings, compassion and prayers
for all those affected, their loved ones and theirs
The chant will go on, but we also should ACT
to prevent this from happ'ning 'again, counteract
by voting to bring gun-control to the fore
and stifle the "rifle", and strengthen gun law
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Poem written by Susan Golden 6/16
Next I would like to introduce you to the work of Monica, (Moosey1313 on #Instagram), who posted this beautiful tribute to the Orlando Pulse victims under the hash tag #prayersfororlando . She graciously gave me permission to post her work in this context today.
She edited an original photo, posted by @jvdt for an #applifam competition.
I love the delicate lacy web- like matrix with peace doves flying through a hole in the sky towards a faint peace-sign cloud. The little dots are made up of tiny peace signs, and the illusion of multiple peace doves or lotus flowers, make up the web.
Under her artwork she quotes Martin Luther King,
" Returning violence for violence multiples violence, adding deeper darkness to a night, already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that. "
Combined with these Ghandi - like prose , this work is a wonderful example of passion-art that comes from the heart, an expression of pure love when nothing else can be offered to console.
I would like to congratulate Monica on her artwork which speaks louder than any words could under tragic circumstances; and I shall cherish it amongst my collection.
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove
Ferlin Husky
Other work that touched me included a picture by #@eurekayca on Instagram (I did write to her to request permission to post this in my blog, but I did not hear from her.)
I am giving her full credit for this picture, but using it to illustrate the outpouring of love towards the people of Orlando.
Another posting was from @Klaineer_joss stating that the world is in mourning, and calls for a moment of silence,... illustrating two masculine hands clasping each other with a rainbow flag in between them.
I encourage you to check out Instagram and search for #prayingfororlando to see more posts.
Linda Thompson
I would like to suggest a moment of action, not silence. A moment of thoughtful contemplation.
In remembering those lost in Orlando, let us join hands together and pledge to do something about this terrible event.
Not allow it to fade into the background, as "just another mass shooting".
Write to your congressman. Sign petitions, join with your church or your community. Make your voice heard so that solutions can be found.
let us reflect on the words of Pope John Paul II on THE WORLD DAY OF PEACE 1987
"To recognize the social solidarity of the human family brings with it the responsibility to build on what makes us one. This means promoting effectively and without exception the equal dignity of all as human beings endowed with certain fundamental and inalienable human rights.."
I offer my most heart felt condolences.
May those who lost their loved ones know that there are many people still thinking of you, sending their love and prayers, and actively digging for a better future at the end of the rainbow.