Too Many Voices by Carolyn Bateman - BLOG

TOO MANY VOICES

I think about them all

Mostly nameless faces

in a country of millions

Just numbers really

Statistics to most

They were shining bright lights

before flickering out

On the news, the world sighs

Another one gone

Let’s move on-

to the next story

But the whispers on the wind

reaches my ears

and they grow into a roar

A cacophony of sound

Brandon, Karla, Mitch, Will,

Tyler, Adam, Sara, Neil,

Mike, Kate, Cory, Hardynn

They were all named

They were all loved

From beginning to end-

from sunrise to sunset

Too many names

Too many faces

Too many voices

In the sea of the lost

The souls of the fallen

And then I wonder-

is your child next?

Will it be your brother, mother, uncle, friend?

Perhaps the man on the corner

who smiles every day-

but never again after tomorrow

The sanctity of loving one another

The very reason for our existence

Strangers, family, friends

We all bear the same human condition and frailties

A change of awareness can change a heart

Changed hearts can change the world

For all of the fallen and all those who struggle

How many is too many?

And when is enough-

Enough?

Carolyn Bateman 2022