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Poem: Two Hundred Fifteen

Take comfort in knowing, though no longer seen. They are at peace, those two hundred fifteen.
Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption North Bay
Small pairs of shoes were placed on the steps of the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption in North Bay.

they are at peace...

 

Two Hundred Fifteen

 

Things we have witnessed,

things we’ve not seen.

The unspeakable horror,

of the two hundred fifteen.

 

Lives taken too soon,

for reasons unknown.

The cruelty of man,

to us has been shown.

 

The cries left unheard,

from those living in fear.

Their voices soon silenced,

from folk far and near.

 

Their laughter no more,

their dreams not fulfilled.

These things taken away,

by those that this willed.

 

No more running and jumping,

no more playing with friends.

No more hoping and wishing,

when life sadly ends.

 

The young plucked from home,

by the powers that be.

Placed in clergy run schools,

that none could foresee.

 

The church ever trusted,

to do what was best.

Did then as they do now,

we all know the rest.

 

There’s a place set aside,

for those children abused.

For the abusers as well,

the Almighty’s not amused!

 

Take comfort in knowing,

though no longer seen.

They are at peace,

those two hundred fifteen.

 

Dan Bissonnette

North Bay