A #TankaTuesday response: Brokenhearted

6/14/2022

Hello blog friends! Today poet Colleen Chesebro invites us to write a tanka prose. She offers a detailed explanation of this poetic form on her website (linked above).

My poems are a verse envelope - a tanka/prose/tanka. It reflects upon a recent heartbreaking tragedy that occurred in the small town of Uvalde, Texas. My poems --

BROKENHEARTED

In the small town of Uvalde, Texas, a disturbed shooter and multiple mistakes by professionals left all of us bereft. Violence is senseless and has no favorites, even the tiniest can be its victim. And I wonder, have we forgotten how to love?

I hope you have a fabulous week, my friends. May blessings abound! 💗

31 Comments

Joan Hall link

6/14/2022 16:15:36

This was such a tragedy, Gwen. So many unanswered questions. I too wonder if we've forgotten how to love.

Gwen Plano

6/14/2022 18:02:43

I'm with you, Joan, such a tragedy. I can't imagine the sorrow of the families, the teachers, all those who knew and loved the deceased. 💗

CS Boyack

6/14/2022 19:39:48

Such timely thoughts. Thanks for sharing them.

Gwen Plano

6/14/2022 20:39:43

Thank you, Craig. Much appreciated.

Jan Sikes

6/14/2022 20:01:11

Such a senseless tragedy. Your poems are perfect and express the devastating heartbreak of it. And, YES! Let's take time to relearn. Just beautiful!

Gwen Plano

6/14/2022 20:40:46

Horrible tragedy... Thank you, Jan, for your kind words and loving response. 💗

Priscilla Bettis link

6/14/2022 20:09:59

Yes, may we find ways to love again.

Gwen Plano

6/14/2022 20:42:12

We've got to, don't we Priscilla.Thank you so much. 💗

Harmony Kent link

6/15/2022 04:14:48

I struggle to wrap my logic around the aversion to any serious gun control measures … especially raising the minimum age for a license to 21. So many tragedies that just keep coming.

So many people struggling in today’s world, and—yes—lashing out. You are so spot on about the need to remember one another.

Your words capture this perfectly, Gwen. Beautiful Tanka Prose. Hugs 💕🙂

Gwen Plano

6/15/2022 06:21:50

Thank you, Harmony. There's much I don't understand these days, and those things weigh heavily on my heart. We're broken as a country, and I don't know how to fix it except through love. 💗

Jill Weatherholt link

6/15/2022 04:38:57

Such timely and powerful words, Gwen. Love is a decision...we must make the choice to love each day. xo

Gwen Plano

6/15/2022 06:22:37

Thank you, Jill, I'm with you 100%. No matter what is going on, we need to make that choice. 💗

Staci Troilo link

6/15/2022 05:10:53

A timely and powerful poem, Gwen. Thank you for sharing.

Gwen Plano

6/15/2022 06:22:57

Thank you so much, Staci. 💗

Elizabeth Gauffreau link

6/15/2022 05:22:21

I can't begin to imagine how awful it must be for parents of school-age children in today's United States, knowing they're playing Russian roulette with their children's lives by sending them to school each morning.

Gwen Plano

6/15/2022 06:25:54

It's a difficult time for sure. My kids have moved their children into private schools, but most do not have that choice. I'm with you, Liz. Thank you.

Marcia Meara link

6/15/2022 06:39:24

Beautifully expressed, Gwen, and so true.

Gwen Plano

6/15/2022 18:06:26

Thank you so much, Marcia. 🤗

Colleen Chesebro link

6/15/2022 12:02:00

Gwen, your tanka prose exposes a threat of truth... have we forgotten how to love?" It's beyond me why our lawmakers in the states and congress don't the enact laws that all Americans support. Beautiful poetry, my friend. We all grieve for the lives lost. <3

Gwen Plano

6/15/2022 18:07:51

Thank you so much, Colleen. Anymore, I just try to love people -- and pray. 💗

Roberta Eaton Cheadle

6/16/2022 03:22:38

Two beautiful poems tinged with sadness. Thanks, Gwen.

Gwen Plano

6/16/2022 11:12:54

Thank you for commenting, Robbie. We live in difficult times, don't we? 💗

Balroop Singh link

6/16/2022 12:10:17

So poignant! You have captured the emotions beautifully Gwen. I wish we could do something.

Gwen Plano

6/16/2022 13:44:04

Thank you, Balroop. I'm so pleased you liked the post. 💗

Luanne link

6/16/2022 18:35:04

Such a horrifying tragedy. Only poetry can touch it.

Gwen Plano

6/17/2022 11:13:39

I'm with you, Luanne. Poetry can birth emotions that otherwise hide from us. Thank you. 💗

Diana Peach link

6/17/2022 10:16:31

The Uvalde shooting broke my heart too, Gwen. I wonder if we as a nation will ever learn, if we will ever love enough to protect our children. A sad poem that reflects the needless tragedy.

Gwen Plano

6/17/2022 11:16:08

Tears come easily these days. So much needless sorrow and when it touches the most precious among us, it is heartbreaking. Love is the only way... 💗

Elizabeth link

6/17/2022 13:33:15

Hi Gwen, we heard this sad news here. It's unbelievable that this kind of thing can happen these days. Your poem is wonderful.

Gwen Plano

6/17/2022 18:42:36

Thank you, Elizabeth. You are so right, it is unbelievable that this could happen. So so sad...

sally cronin link

6/20/2022 06:51:34

Such a terrible tragedy with repercussions for those left behind for years to come, all the missed birthdays, anniversaries and weddings they should have been looking forward to. Beautifully expressed as always ♥♥

A #TankaTuesday response: Brokenhearted

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