Shootings at a Synagogue

Eleven dead; six injured.

How does a person try to explain

The enormity of such a crime--

The inexplicable loss, the pain?

 

All were shot at a place of worship--

At a synagogue in Pittsburgh, P-A,

On what began as a peaceful morning

On a late October Sabbath day.

 

Early that morning no one could have

Imagined the horror the day would bring,

Even though we live in a time

When hatred seems to be in full swing.

 

It takes only ONE hater

To change the course of many lives

In a country where underneath

The peaceful appearance, violence thrives.

 

The president says that armed guards

Are what we need and not tougher laws.

He bows before the gun lobby,

Addressing the symptoms, but not the cause.

 

Helping refugees get settled:

For that the synagogue is known.

That was an issue that irked the killer,

Who was from here. Yes, homegrown!

 

Do we ignore red flag warnings

And turn our heads when someone spews

Hatred of groups such as Muslims,

Asylum seekers, gays, or Jews?

 

Do we ignore the poisonous words

That constantly drip down from the top?

At what point do the majority

Of people say: This must stop!

 

Give praise to those who strive for positive

Change with every heartfelt endeavor.

And hold in your heart the many people

Whose lives have now been changed forever.

_____________________

 

May the victims' lives inspire us all by showing us the power of love,

and may they rest in peace.

 

Joyce Fienberg

Richard Gottfried

Rose Mallinger

Jerry Rabinowitz

Cecil Rosenthal

David Rosenthal

Bernice Simon

Sylvan Simon

Daniel Stein

Melvin Wax

Irving Younger

 

And may thoughts of love and healing embrace the injured.

 

-by Bob B (10-28-18)