by Susan Budig - Mindful Poet
Member since:
February 16, 2006

Kent

April 28, 2012 12:12 AM UTC
views: 0 | 17 people recommend this | comments: 36

Balmy and pleasant, first Monday in May, their passions burning like fire
A chickadee chirps at the crack of an egg, life in abundance abounds
But on that day, it could also be heard, pistol shots fifteen minutes prior

Over one hundred yards away, guardsmen fired sixty-seven rounds
Twenty-nine edgy men pulled the trigger on their rifle
Under a cloudless day, four students fell on University grounds

Since that day, the fourth of May, many have tried to stifle
But secrecy looks foul when justice is sought, it’s best to be transparent
Back in 1970, coming fresh off hippie days when life was a trifle

We lay to rest the hottest fears, those moods that stir up the aberrant
Toss flowers on graves and cross ourselves; pretend it’s not that dire
But the nature of war, of the human heart, knows conquest is inherent

Ohio State was a bed of unrest, flames reaching ever higher
Sandra and Bill were just two kids, to protest, they didn’t even aspire

Comments: 36

Janet "Jax" B. Apr 28, 2012, 12:24am UTC
Wow, I was too young to remember this...but I have read about it. Very sad.

I have my poem...but I can't post it. Gather won't let me even load the editor right now. I've been trying since before 11. I'm using Firefox, but perhaps I'll try another browser.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 28, 2012, 1:26am UTC
thanks for the comment. Nor do I have any first hand memories of this although I was seven when it happened.

I see you finally published your terza rima. At least it wasn't lost by deletion. I'll go read it in a minute.
elizabeth evans Apr 28, 2012, 2:19am UTC
I remember it well. Having graduated from college in '68 I had spent much of my time protesting that damn war.
william d. Apr 28, 2012, 12:30am UTC
Well written. Another poem of yours I have read this month that pushes your poetic boundaries.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 28, 2012, 1:26am UTC
Thanks, Bill. I dig historial fiction/historical poetry.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 28, 2012, 1:27am UTC
We can still say "dig," can't we? :-)
Darin Waugh Apr 28, 2012, 12:34am UTC
Nice!
Doug Westberg Apr 28, 2012, 12:50am UTC
Wow! Astonishing power!
Irina Dimitric Apr 28, 2012, 1:10am UTC
Tragic story...powerful terza rima.
Bernard C. Apr 28, 2012, 3:59am UTC
Very nicely written

Thanks for sharing and submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
Donald H. Apr 28, 2012, 7:01am UTC
Those of us who were in Viet Nam are not so sure that the victim swere as innocent as portrayed. We were getting killed, maimed & traumatized to hell & back but no one gave damn about us.....! But let some long-haired, liberal scum shouting anti-war slogans get shotn at and the people go nuts....! That is pure male cattle manure...! The poor NG troops were frightened, unsure of themsleves and in a place where they need not have been....! Unruly students threatening and mobbing up would have gotten the same fro seasoned tropps at the time...!
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 28, 2012, 5:08pm UTC
You have some valid points, Donald.

In my poem, the two people I listed by name were not protestors, but students walking to class, not involved in protesting.
JOHN BECK Apr 28, 2012, 7:50am UTC
Your topic and well written terza rima have certainly struck a chord with some readers. A friend from Cub Scouts through high school directed a film called "The Strawberry Statement" which was not popular at the time but to me is was a great film showing how many who had no interest in the issues became involved for various reasons, many beyond their control.
The format with the longer lines and without meter softens the form and focuses the reader on the content to a greater extent than one with shorter, metered lines. Not to suggest that one is better than another, just an observation that the way you have written this I find to be most appropriate for your theme.
Excellent.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 28, 2012, 5:11pm UTC
Thanks, John. I can only seem to create metered poetry when I sing it in my head as I'm writing it. It does not come naturally to me.
Jennifer T. Apr 28, 2012, 8:32am UTC
Very nice!! I enjoyed it very much!
A. F. Stewart Apr 28, 2012, 10:21am UTC
A strong poem.
Kerry Dexter Apr 28, 2012, 12:24pm UTC
many powerful and controversial thoughts flowing through your poem, Susan. I'd respectfully point out that the name of the university where this took place is Kent State. Ohio State is another school entirely, in a different city.
Kerry Dexter Apr 28, 2012, 12:26pm UTC
although now that I've said that, perhaps that was choice you made by design. my apologies for not thinking of that first.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 28, 2012, 5:12pm UTC
You are right. I was looking this topic up and somehow messed up the name. I will need to fix that at some point.
Len Maxwell Apr 28, 2012, 12:34pm UTC
A well-written piece regarding one more dark occasion in our history.

Thanks for posting to the Wall of Sadness on The Triple Name Club where it's now featured.
1970...this event is not something I'm farmiliar with, as I wasn't born 'til Nov. '70...
Ann Marcaida Apr 28, 2012, 3:37pm UTC
I love poetry that deals with unsettling historic events. It's somehow a balm to my psyche. (I'm confused on one point-- are you talking about a second school-- Ohio State-- at the end of your poem?)

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured and Tweeted.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 28, 2012, 5:13pm UTC
It was about Kent State. I messed up a bit with the name.

Thanks for the promo!
Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 28, 2012, 7:36pm UTC
Great rememberance poem...I marched against the Kent State killings when I was a student at U. of Ariz.


Now Featured on Surreal Circus
Angie O. Apr 28, 2012, 11:47pm UTC
Powerful write, so sad.
Kerry Dexter Apr 29, 2012, 10:18am UTC
Susan,
I wonder if you remember the Neil Young song called Ohio? if not, you perhaps came across it in your research.
Barbary Chaapel Apr 29, 2012, 3:30pm UTC
I'm going to look up that song.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 29, 2012, 5:50pm UTC
No, that wasn't a song I came across. But thanks for suggesting it.
Barbary Chaapel Apr 29, 2012, 3:31pm UTC
A powerful poem, Susan.

My friend, who lives in Kent told me there was recently some more trouble, although I didn't see it on national news.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 29, 2012, 5:49pm UTC
And thanks for the triple-recommend! Wowza! :-)
Mustafa Demiri Apr 29, 2012, 8:12pm UTC
Sadly, too often repeated over the years... When will they ever learn?
Audrey Howitt May 12, 2012, 4:39pm UTC
I had not come into any real type of political awareness at that time, but I know about it. I like Mustafa's comment, "when will they ever learn?"
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet May 12, 2012, 8:43pm UTC
Thanks for reading, Audrey. And for popping over to my poetry blog! Much appreciated.
Audrey Howitt May 12, 2012, 9:46pm UTC
MY pleasure!

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