Heavenly Bodies
Spirits rising from the earth;
too few years to death from birth.
Heavenly bodies bathed in celestial lights;
Forsaking forever their worlds of endless nights.
Children…Oh, the children!
Little girl,
you were in the safe room,
under attack,
waiting for your parents to return,
but it provided no protection.
If only those men hadn’t heard,
you, crying…
Little girl rest in perpetual peace,
for your pain has found its surcease.
Shalom … שלום
Little girl,
you were in a car trying to escape,
under attack,
the only one still alive but with a phone,
asking for help but they were attacked.
If only there had been a miracle to prevent,
you, dying…
Little girl rest in perpetual peace,
for your pain has found its surcease.
Salaam … سالم
We failed you both.
Please forgive us.
If women were in power,
you would be with us now.
Alive. Safe.
Rest assured as you play together
in that eternal place and space:
There is no religion in heaven.
Children…Oh, the children!
Spirits rising from the earth;
too few years to death from birth.
Heavenly bodies bathed in celestial lights;
Forsaking forever their worlds of endless nights.
John RC Potter is an international educator from Canada who lives in Istanbul. He has experienced a revolution (Indonesia), air strikes (Israel), earthquakes (Turkey), boredom (UAE), and blinding snow blizzards (Canada), the last being the subject of his story, ‘Snowbound in the House of God’ (Memoirist). The author’s poems, stories, essays, articles, and reviews have been published in various magazines and journals. Recent publications: Prose – ‘Destination: Toronto @ Midnight’ (Halfway Down The Stairs); Poetry – ‘A Year in Israel, Twelve Months in Tel Aviv’ (Culterate Magazine). His story, ‘Ruth’s World’ (Fiction on the Web), was nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and his poem, ‘Tomato Heart’ (Disturb the Universe Magazine), was nominated for the Best of the Net Award. The author’s gay-themed children’s picture book, The First Adventures of Walli and Magoo, is scheduled for publication. He enjoys duties as Istanbul editor of Masticadores online magazine.
The Marbled Sigh 