Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Write in the POETRY genre (05/17/07)
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TITLE: Angels of December | Previous Challenge Entry
By Virginia Lee Bliss
05/22/07 -
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The soundless terror came.
It hid within the stairwell
‘Til steps burst into flame.
To the second floor it swirled
And roamed the halls at will.
The children in the classrooms,
The halls now gates of hell.
Smoke snaked through the hallway
And rattled at the door.
When the door was opened
Flames entered with a roar.
Flames licked at the ceiling
And danced along the wall.
Black smoke choked the children;
Engulfed them like a pall.
They all ran to the windows
Looked down some twenty feet.
Ladders could not reach the sills
To save them from the heat.
A father begged his son to jump.
He cried and called his name.
But Mark was overcome with fear
And perished in the flame.
Holding little John Jajkowski,
Came Richard from the door.
His father cried “My son! My son!”
Alas! He breathed no more.
Like angel’s tears the snow comes down
And covers with a glaze
The pavement where the children jumped,
Escaping from the blaze.
At home a family waits in fear.
And then the dreaded call!
Sergeant Kelly at the doorstep.
“I’m sorry for ye’ all.”
Father pounds upon the school door.
“My son, I know you’re there!
“You can’t be dead! Oh no, you can’t!”
The truth he cannot bear.
West Chicago streets of sorrow;
White roses ‘round the door.
Mary weeping for her children;
Alas! They are no more.
Daley mourned the tragic deaths
And called for sweeping change.
More sprinklers, drills, and sirens,
More exits within range.
But for Our Lady of the Angels
The changes came too late.
Two and ninety children
Too soon at heaven’s gate.
Angels of December
The fire will not die.
Oh my Lord, where were You?
Oh my God! Oh!-------Why?!
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REFERENCE: http://www.olafire.com
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Very well written.
A piece of history well told with emotion through poetry. Well done!