I am writing this to memorialize the nine innocents murdered in Charleston, SC and also, the 16 year old son of a friend who was murdered in his front yard this past weekend. Pray for healing in our country.
The bells tolled:
every hour on the hour,
nine times.
Across the city,
people gathered in prayer
a prayer for those nine murdered in their church,
a prayer for this country,
prayers for peace and unity
prayers for healing.
While his mother was at church praying,
the young son of the family stayed at home
to watch over younger cousins.
They were playing wiffle ball in the front yard.
Kids having fun.
The street was quiet but you could
still hear the bells – nine times
every hour on the hour.
The quiet neighborhood
became a battle ground for two warring gangs.
They did not care who was caught in the crossfire.
They did not care that prayers were being said.
They did not care children were out playing.
They.Did.Not.Care.
The beautiful young man
The innocent young man lay still –
several bullets found his body
and as his young cousins watched,
he died in the front yard of his home.
No one saw anything.
No one knew anything.
If anyone knew anything,
they were silent.
The bells tolled every hour on the hour.
The bells tolled.
People prayed.
kanzen sakura 
Jun 24, 2015 @ 16:48:14
I cannot click like on this.. Devastating on both the evil intentions and the reckless carelessness.. Killing innocents, the state of the world is sad.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 16:54:03
I know. I’ve read posts that were devastating in their content. Like you, I have let the person know and that I felt the post. There is nothing to like on this. Nothing…
Jun 24, 2015 @ 17:17:32
Well, I clicked “Like” because I love that you are speaking out about the tragedy, calling it like it is, pointing out the lack of caring of those who perpetrated the violence. I like that you, unlike those who may have witnessed the tragic killing of the young man, did not remain silent. Well done. Peace, Linda
Jun 24, 2015 @ 18:46:16
Thank you Linda. I can well understand people not liking. Bjorn could not like but he did let me know he read. What is sad, is those who need to read this, never will. thank you for your support.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 18:14:18
Oh my, Toni, how heart-wrenching–yet you’ve written it so beautifully, and reverently.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 18:47:53
bless you.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 18:31:58
Heavy heart…the way you used repetition made me feel the weight of the bells, the weight of the tragedies.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 18:52:03
We all feel this weight and sadness. thank you for reading.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 19:16:18
The people of this world are losing their minds: both the perpetrators and the victims families. Too much heartache and heartbreak.
This is a magnificent homage to these innocents. ❤ ❤ ❤ A superb write, Kanzen.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 20:15:52
So many innocents all over the world being murdered. All countries, not just the US as some people like to think. Bombs, gas, imprisonment, torture, starvation……as my grandmother used to say, one day hell is going to burst wide open.
Jun 25, 2015 @ 13:50:54
And then those poor innocent girls brainwashed to become human bombs. Your grandmother’s saying fits perfectly. ❤
Jun 25, 2015 @ 14:21:13
And young boys brainwashed into thinking they will be great warriors and get a virgin reward in heaven by becoming human bombs….very sad.
Jun 25, 2015 @ 16:07:12
I agree. The world is in a terrible mess.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 21:36:08
I wonder when this violence stops? How many innocent lives lost. The bells toll for those gone may their family and friends find peace.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 22:05:14
With all the innocents murdered daily, all over the world, the bells would never cease. I pray for us all to live in peace.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 23:43:13
Praying with you and for the whole world.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 23:45:17
Thank you. My friend especially needs your prayers, Perpetua. And we all need the prayers for each other.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 23:47:49
Yes, we all need prayers and a special one for your friend. Blessings. Thank you.
Jun 24, 2015 @ 23:49:32
Blessings to you and yours.
Jun 25, 2015 @ 00:18:40
We are diminished by this loss
Jun 25, 2015 @ 00:32:06
We are. But hopefully, something will come from the prayers and people coming together to heal.
Jun 30, 2015 @ 17:19:16
This write touched my heart. I tend to focus more on the innocents when these things happen because my heart and mind are sensitive and I simply refuse to give too much energy to anyone that would destroy families in this way. You honored your friend’s son and the Charleston Nine with this poem. Bless your heart and God bless us all.
Jun 30, 2015 @ 17:38:18
Thank you. I too try not to focus on those who do evil. I’d known that sweet child since he was a toddler. But I had to let people know that there are those who truly do not care and those who are cowards. God bless us all indeed. May our prayers bring peace and unity for us all. And as my grandmother used to say about this sort if thing, live your life for the innocent.
Jun 30, 2015 @ 18:03:13
Amen.
Jul 01, 2015 @ 16:41:19
Your words make me want to weep.
Jul 02, 2015 @ 00:04:06
words don’t come easily to comment this moving sad post … we can only hope that change is in the air and that the future will not find these terrible events repeating themselves.
Jul 02, 2015 @ 00:11:10
We can only hope. I like to think good will overcome evil.
Jul 02, 2015 @ 00:18:58
So do I …