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 ...#PrayingforOrlando

"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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Poem written by Susan Golden 6/16

Peace Art by #Moosey1313 #Instagram 

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.

"Our uniqueness, our individuality, and our life experience molds us into fascinating beings. I hope we can embrace that. I pray we may all challenge ourselves to delve into the deepest resources of our hearts to cultivate an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. We are all in this life together."
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.."

To the LGBT and Latino community in Orlando,
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.