across the state from us

1
across the state from us
too near
for such who have gone through this

in a city
it seems named for mystery
there were killings
by one person
so far
who is dead
as well
by will
after taking all the lives and Erie
is shaken
no
doubt
and we’re left
maybe to wonder after praying
why
and then extend the argument
for madness
and
destruction that will happen anywhere
along the range of virtue
left and left
to
God to judge
with
angels watching

weeping in heaven
and
I think some wording and beating toward anger
as perhaps it’s not enough
for a God
only
always to know

and
by a lake where there should be romance
espying lights out there
at night
rather than to tear tear both kinds of daytime
leave
them rent and raw and now and for days
to keep or let the storm of tidal waves break
in

over what remains of barriers
for health

2
we destroy ao many things
when
need cannot be answered by hope in
any way for
having given up on
who knows how recently
the one
or ones deciding
there
is no feeling and no reason except the kind
that blinds the senses with murderous
doubt
they open after
too near
too soon
too late
to close the spirit and the mind
to what’s been caused
except in corners of hell that
might be quiet
while
the rage got all around by
campaign in the place we think medieval
is
the battleground where so many blooded losses
must
it seems take place

demur if
not dissemble
for
to rip the floorboards like the setting for
the buried heart
evading law
though it should arrive and
closely
wait
for justice

that now has gone from Earth
and must be matched
supernally
close
by

all to say the loss extreme
spirit-splitting
with
over fear for safety
except for parts that will not end until
divinity
shall end

and meantime all the doctors
nurses
EMTs at the scene
with what will seem an extraordinary police
presence
to
set flags and take up pieces

all the front-line folk who would so much more
have wished
to save

and now
what’s left with
who
is left

3
now the victims breathing worlds
that
turn or have gone crashing
all the anger
all
the keening
and who knows but among those who have
arrived
there might be rage in heaven

while nothing fair on Earth
it should seem
and
how to explain the rending except we allow
for precedents
by occult example to have
taught us

but
it’s their place now and
they
don’t want it
as they shouldn’t

and we’ll wring in circles of gestures
outward
from
the ruined heart
the darkened mind
the shattered spirit of investment
through
our
work and play
setting families
to have and say this is a good existence

now
to wander
through
the wilderness of
families and the generation who remain

4
explanation
and there is no explanation
only
red fear
in black and white
for now with the question
that
for thought and feeling has
no answer

c l couch

Shooting leaves 9 dead including suspect in Erie
1 day ago · A shooting at a residence in Erie, Pennsylvania, left nine people dead, including the suspected shooter, police said. …
AP News
https://apnews.com

photo by chuck derby on Unsplash
Presque Isle

the conclusion of “The Tell-Tale Heart” is referenced

and I guess I’m saying too little, too much—adding to the words of others to let these all be tragedy and history of overwhelming fear and, humanly, maybe a wish of retribution (to get over)