Hers was the last tear
falling from her cheek.
A thousand others filled
a sea of regret and pride.
For he had died, after all,
for his country.
A soldier he, his dream to be,
lived out on a battlefield.
A skirmish never won,
he lived and died for fun.
For he had died, after all,
for his country.
–Victoria Emmons, 2017
Cries from a bleacher
Fan of a different stripe
Hoots and waves
Shouts to the team
Shout and Shot easy to misspell
Hate not as easy to dispel
Hate upon a field of play
Play just for fun
Play no more, run and hide
Hide and seek metal
Metal that flies
through flesh
Flesh and blood
Blood-stained second
Second on to third
Third straight to home run
Run for your life
Live. Love.
Pursuit of happiness.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Round the bases
Popcorn, peanuts
Hot dogs, beer
Fans who cheer
My Country ‘Tis of Thee
Innocence lost in uncivil
discourse, lost to ugly shouts
When shots rang out.
–Victoria Emmons, 2017
Music chimes a peaceful note from the mouths of children
waving palm fronds to signal triumphant goodness,
line a welcome path for the Master.
Peace be with you.
Tears of joy blend with splattered crimson pews upended
in a rubble of hatred permeating empty minds
determined to crush freedom.
Cry for Egypt.
Red palms scatter the ancient floor of life, open palms
never to breathe again, nailed to a cross of
faith, hope and love.
Cry for the world.
–Victoria Emmons, 2017
Sweaters too large conceal self-control
About to deteriorate into a pool of blood
Razor sharp threats pierce the softness
Barking orders to run and hide away
Run and hide away while you watch
From a distance, your height in charge
Of keeping calm and stone-faced despite
A crumbling world of madmen and goons
Madmen and goons shake the very core
Of what is goodness, charity, love, hope
As flagrant lies begin to believe themselves
Cherish false words, worship a dead horse
Worship a dead horse to make a fake point
About being serious enough to die together
End everything and everyone before it’s time
Because your life and mine is nothing but rhyme
—Victoria Emmons © 2015
Stately skyscrapers
Stand tall in the breeze
Define an otherwise
Perfect day in the city
Rub my eyes to recollect
What used to be
Above the traffic and
Masses of humanity
Going about the day
As if no worries
Yet the greatest of
Tragedies about to occur
La Vue de rue Sleidan 