So, at class the other night we decided that we don't use the blog enough.
One journal entry I made was about an emotional reaction I had recently.
I'll share it here in hopes that you will all share some of your writing, too.
Just driving by
You worthless punks!
You think your dirty boots belong on that stone?
You think it's funny to kick at it?
When we saw it toppled we were shocked. I couldn't believe someone could be so thoughtless, heartless, cruel. I believed it must have been an act of nature - a wind, lightning, even an animal. The reality set in when I saw the stones of other people's family members toppled too.
How dare you?
I'm beyond shocked, I'm angry!
You have no idea the pain contained in that stone, you have not an inkling of hurt represented by that one day that comes in every 365. Every June 24th my family stops. You didn't know that, did you?
I hope you never have to hold your dad's hand as he takes his last breath, when he's still too young to die.
That may look like fun to you, but that headstone, the one you picked to kick, is the one that I chose to stand for eternity.
Angie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this and for being the first to start.I am not sure that I am ready to share something that I have written on the blog. But...you have inspired me to check out my journal and maybe, just maybe, find something audience worthy.
By the way what you wrote was full of voice and emotion. Have you thought of reading this to students in Middle School/High School before the Halloween weekend?
ReplyDeleteYou certainly don't shy away from highly charged topics. Very powerful piece. The lead certainly is effective....makes you wonder.....provokes the reader to continue to read and question. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAngie,
ReplyDeleteYou are right! They are animals at their most basal. I have never understood why people think they should trash cemeteries by breaking and tipping over stones and yet it happens every year. Perhaps they just don't think! The sherif in Hancock County has been taking inmates to the local cemeteries this summer to clean up and restore, stones and trim overgrown bushes. They have even made a beautiful park at the entrance of one. It is so much more pleasant to go there now and see the good things that are happening rather than the bad. I certainly do understand your displeasure.
Angie,
ReplyDeleteI love the emotion and voice in your writing. I think that your feeling is something many of us can relate to. It is such a dishonor to those memories of the people we loved. It's hard to think or understand that some people can't relate to that idea of love and respect. Thank you for sharing!