Lost Innocence - A Dunblane Tragedy
by
Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Monday, August 09, 2004
Rated "PG" by the Author.
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On Wednesday March 13th, 1996, in Dunblane, Scotland, a horrific massacre took place in a Dunblane school gym!
A lone gunman had gone on a shooting spree, killing 16 children and their teacher.
The killer sprayed shots at random around the school gym in an attack that lasted just three minutes, but caused carnage in a class of five and six year olds. He then turned the gun on himself.
Twelve other children were taken to hospital in Stirling, where one was reported to have later died of his injuries.
The killer was identified as Thomas Hamilton, 43, a local man, who had once - briefly - been a scout master before being fired by the Scout Association.
A tragic waste of youth...and life!
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In late 1996, this poem was published in an American anthology entitled Fields of Gold, and won an Editor's Choice Award. ~CKT
Long ago, Dunblane's innocence reigned,
While children's trusting souls remained
To freely speak, and laugh or play
Without a worry for the day.
Children walked to school - alone or paired,
And never thought of being scared.
Each sat in class with a trusting heart,
Waiting for their dreams to start.
Yet all it took was an evil mind
To destroy the innocence of mankind,
By taking away sweet Angels' dreams,
And replacing them with silent screams.
Innocence surrendered - shrouded by Death,
As children drew their final breath.
The Teacher cried out from horror dark
When Death grinned, and found its mark.
The world grew silent, except for cries
From innocent Angels spare their lives.
Mankind must unite, and innocence FEEL;
Only then can our World finally heal.
©2004 Cheryl Kaye Tardif
~featured on the website of a teenage girl from Scotland
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Dunblane School Massacre - 1996
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| Reviewed by Andre Bendavi ben-YEHU |
7/2/2005 |
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Rich in contents, composition and style.
"Lost Innocence - A Dunblane Tragedy" is a socio-poetic
poem waves its flag to Justice and Humanity.
I have enjoyed the reading of this poetic grand,
"Lost Innocence - A Dunblane Tragedy".
Thank You for enriching the pages of Poetry.
Long Healthy Creative Life.
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU |
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| Reviewed by Regis Auffray |
4/16/2005 |
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| A stark reminder that evil ever lurks in this world, Cheryl. Thank you. Love and peace to you. Regis |
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