Raining In My Heart
It is raining today. It is also “raining” in Parkland Florida where the funerals continue for the 17 killed in the latest school shooting. No one can grieve for anyone else. Grief is solitary work. No one can imagine the sorrow of a parent who feels the loneliness of having a child murdered. So I want to post this video. One Tree Hill by U2 is a haunting melody. I think that I’ve posted it before. No matter. There are no two days alike.
The students from Douglas High are intent on urging much tighter gun control. They will ultimately fail. The President has said that he will listen. He listens when necessary. Just weeks ago he told the NRA that he will come through for them.
The U2 song is a prayer of appeal, to the universe, or to whatever gods there may be. Religion is the X factor, the affirmation that we cannot have all knowledge, that we must live with humility, our decisions showing propriety for the community of all creatures. This is the ultimate argument in opposition to the NRA, the President, and all of those who believe in the taking of power, that getting one’s way is all that matters.
And so it goes in our sad world.
One Tree Hill
by U2
We turn away to face the cold, enduring chill
As the day begs the night for mercy love
The sun so bright it leaves no shadows
Only scars carved into stone
On the face of earth
The moon is up and over One Tree Hill
We see the sun go down in your eyesYou run like river, on like a sea
You run like a river runs to the seaAnd in the world a heart of darkness
A fire zone
Where poets speak their heart
Then bleed for it
Jara sang, his song a weapon
In the hands of love
You know his blood still cries
From the groundIt runs like a river runs to the sea
It runs like a river to the seaI don’t believe in painted roses
Or bleeding hearts
While bullets rape the night of the merciful
I’ll see you again
When the stars fall from the sky
And the moon has turned red
Over One Tree HillWe run like a river
Run to the sea
We run like a river to the seaAnd when it’s raining
Raining hard
That’s when the rain will
Break my heartRaining, raining in the heart
Raining in your heart
Raining, raining to your heart
Raining, raining, raining
Raining to your heart
Raining, raining in your heart
Raining in your heart
To the seaOh great ocean
Oh great sea
Run to the ocean
Run to the sea
2 thoughts on “Raining In My Heart”
I am, on most occasions, the pessimist in almost any group. So I find myself in a strange position with regard to your current offering. When you say, “The students from Douglas High are intent on urging much tighter gun control. They will ultimately fail. ” I’m not so sure about the failing part. Maybe this time is different because the outrage is coming from a very different source than it has in the past. Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking, but maybe, just maybe, the NRA tide is turning. I placed a post (see below) onto Facebook asking people to “share” the words and it is getting some traction. Let’s hope.
Here is what I wrote:
Let’s make the Parkland Massacre be the Last Straw. No letting go, no back to normal. This time everyone will know the NRA and their political allies are toast. We’ll be on the streets and in the faces of gun advocates. I’m an old guy but I’m supporting high school students 100%. I’ve got your back and I will not let this happen again. No more “Thoughts & Prayers”.
The time for action is NOW.
Yes, there is hope. We cannot rest until this bloody tide is turned, until the numbing replay of deadly violence at a school becomes rare.
I really like these strong words of resolve:
I don’t believe in painted roses
Or bleeding hearts
While bullets rape the night of the merciful