Sandy Hook Elementary School
December 14th, 2012
All I have is a voice
To undo the folded lie,
The romantic lie in the brain
Of the sensual man-in-the-street
And the lie of Authority
Whose buildings grope the sky:
There is no such thing as the State
And no one exists alone;
Hunger allows no choice
To the citizen or the police;
We must love one another or die.
Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.”
To undo the folded lie,
The romantic lie in the brain
Of the sensual man-in-the-street
And the lie of Authority
Whose buildings grope the sky:
There is no such thing as the State
And no one exists alone;
Hunger allows no choice
To the citizen or the police;
We must love one another or die.
Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.”
- W.H. Auden
4 comments:
Well said...
When you send your kid to kindergarten, you expect to be able to pick them up and take them home. I was shocked when I realized those little bodies would have to remain in place while the police took photos and made their drawings of the crime scene. Reminds me of when the Amish school got attacked.
Good post, MSgt B.
Old NFO - I couldn't think of any of my own words that would be fit to put down for public consumption, so I used someone else's.
Lotta Joy - Soon those parents will turn to anger. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
Andy - Thanks, and thanks again for taking your daughter to lay wreaths at Arlington.
Post a Comment