Special Report

In Honor of Those Affected by the Events of July 20th, 2012 in Aurora, CO

An escape from reality as I situate myself in front of the TV;
momentarily consider changing the channel before something shocking catches me –
a special report, a barrage of details I try to sort:
a shooting in Colorado has colored the ironically breathtaking landscape in the bloody shade of broken hearts.
Lives taken at a movie premiere, I try to imagine myself being there,
attempt to bring them shelter by wishing them here,
but it quickly becomes clear that it's much "too late,"
a phrase I've been using much too much as of late.
I reflect on the dismal circumstances –
cruelly stripped of their worldly existence,
there is no doubt that the tragedies were.
But the one thing I feel those victims should never fear
is exactly what happens when it comes time to leave here.
We'll miss them sure, our hearts have sunk,
and it would be quite a feat to pull such sunken hearts back up,
but those we've lost on this unforgiving day
have been forgiven, their sins absolved away.
No longer must they worry; no longer will they get choked up
when they turn on the TV to a view of a world so messed up.

So, I guess what I'd like to say is "it'll all be okay,”
but I know how it hurts when it's new.
Just take solace in the fact that someday they'll be back,
and then they can share their novel paradise with you.