A Silent Scream
The Murder of Sarah Everard48 total reviews
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I followed that case, but didn't know the details of what happened to Sarah after she was 'arrested' and put in the police car. It's a terrible thing, but I don't think I'd tell a child to obey a policeman if he offered her a lift home. I'd advise the child to run... fast.
This is excellent, Debbie, and your author's notes, although scary, really explained everything perfectly. Well done, my friend. It can be a nasty world out there. Warmest hugs. Sandra xx
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
  |
I followed that case, but didn't know the details of what happened to Sarah after she was 'arrested' and put in the police car. It's a terrible thing, but I don't think I'd tell a child to obey a policeman if he offered her a lift home. I'd advise the child to run... fast.
This is excellent, Debbie, and your author's notes, although scary, really explained everything perfectly. Well done, my friend. It can be a nasty world out there. Warmest hugs. Sandra xx
Comment Written 12-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
-
Thank you so much, Sandra, for this extra kind review which I deeply appreciate! If you ever get a moment, the documentary on BBC I-Player is (I would suggest) award-winning. It was the mother's dignified and moving words that stunned me into writing this verse. Thank you so much again, Debbie xx
Comment from forestport12
Wow. Wow. The title caught my eye, and then as I read through it, the fluid and lyrical way it was written captured my attention throughout. This was without a doubt a medicinal and respectful tribute, but also a means to educate.
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
|
Wow. Wow. The title caught my eye, and then as I read through it, the fluid and lyrical way it was written captured my attention throughout. This was without a doubt a medicinal and respectful tribute, but also a means to educate.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
-
What a very kind and encouraging review! Thank you so much. I love that word 'medicinal.' In fact, all your thoughtful comments mean a great deal to me. Bless you, Debbie
Comment from Gloria ....
A finely rhymed and metred poem sharing the horrific death of a young woman at the hands of a killer. Who may well have gone to a series of murders if he hadn't been caught.
One can only imagine the terror of her last hours and I can certainly understand her poor mother's massive grief that will never heal.
It is so disheartening when this kind of corruption is found in an institution that is allegedly in place to protect and serve.
Although the subject is excruciating this is a very good poem.
Well done.
Gloria
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
|
A finely rhymed and metred poem sharing the horrific death of a young woman at the hands of a killer. Who may well have gone to a series of murders if he hadn't been caught.
One can only imagine the terror of her last hours and I can certainly understand her poor mother's massive grief that will never heal.
It is so disheartening when this kind of corruption is found in an institution that is allegedly in place to protect and serve.
Although the subject is excruciating this is a very good poem.
Well done.
Gloria
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
-
Thank you so much, Gloria, for this precious review! I'm honoured by your encouraging thoughts which mean so much to me. This case was sheer horror and stunned a nation. He was so deeply enmeshed in vice (prostitutes, indecent exposures, sick text messages to his colleagues etc) and yet still protected and possibly even admired within the force. All of these red flags, if properly dealt with, could have avoided this escalation. Hopefully, the momentum of change will continue... Thank you again, Debbie
Comment from lyenochka
I'm horrified to learn of such a crime! I always think of how much safer European and Asian countries are compared to our country but now you've dispelled the idea. It's so much worse that the criminal was a policeman. Well told in your poem.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
 |
I'm horrified to learn of such a crime! I always think of how much safer European and Asian countries are compared to our country but now you've dispelled the idea. It's so much worse that the criminal was a policeman. Well told in your poem.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
-
Thank you so much, Helen, for this kind and thoughtful review. No, we go some way here in the UK to compete with the worst of them! Take care Debbie
Comment from Kaiku
certainly a very difficult write. Well done and quite descriptive. I am curious from the notes you offered, what was the relationship the officer had with his wife? Had there been any indication of perversion or deviancy during that ongoing relationship that might have shed light on such horrific behavior? Such sadness.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
|
certainly a very difficult write. Well done and quite descriptive. I am curious from the notes you offered, what was the relationship the officer had with his wife? Had there been any indication of perversion or deviancy during that ongoing relationship that might have shed light on such horrific behavior? Such sadness.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
-
I don't know about his relationship with his wife but, in this instance, he lied to her about working when he clearly wasn't. And, since people like this are usually in a pattern of all sorts of behaviours, it's likely that he had 2 lives going: one with his wife/family and one with his work/deviance. I know that, during the preceding months he was patrolling the streets of London on anti-Covid duties and this would have given him time and opportunity to work on his planning. His life was a mess. There were so many indicators: financial indebtedness, prostitutes, indecent exposures, sick WhatsApp messages with colleagues. Yet all covered up or ignored within his workplace and beyond. Thank you so much for your kind review and thoughts, much appreciated. Take care Debbie. PS Also his 70 mile journeys back and fore to his workplace obviously left him wide open to an alternative lifestyle of total debauchery.
Comment from Jim Wile
This was a beautifully written poem of a very sad story, Debbie. It sounds like the result of this incident was some very necessary reform, but it's a shame it had to come to that. For a group dedicated to serving and protecting, it sure does seem, like you said in the notes, they were serving and protecting themselves, not the public.
I wasn't quite sure about this phrase: "a hostage to his prey." Grammatically it should be "a hostage to his preying" but that doesn't rhyme and isn't in meter. Perhaps "as she became his prey" would work better? - Jim
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
|
This was a beautifully written poem of a very sad story, Debbie. It sounds like the result of this incident was some very necessary reform, but it's a shame it had to come to that. For a group dedicated to serving and protecting, it sure does seem, like you said in the notes, they were serving and protecting themselves, not the public.
I wasn't quite sure about this phrase: "a hostage to his prey." Grammatically it should be "a hostage to his preying" but that doesn't rhyme and isn't in meter. Perhaps "as she became his prey" would work better? - Jim
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
-
You caught that one, well done! It's not quite right is it? I could have said 'for his prey' or 'as his prey' and dithered over it for a while. Thank you for your eagle eye which I always appreciate, as you know. Debbie
Comment from Helvi2
Hi Debbie, Your poem was an easy read but what was beneath it, wasn't! I'm glad you wrote this in poetry form because to read what was beneath was so hard I couldn't finish reading it. I think you found a great way to write this horrific true tale. I think more people will read the story by having it in this form of write. More people should read it and be aware of what happens in this world. This saddens the heart! I praise you for choosing poetry as your way to express. It lessened the blow of reading, but gave the reader a look at cruelty we all should be aware of. Bravo for taking on this project! Definitely worth even more than six stars! :o) Helvi
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
|
Hi Debbie, Your poem was an easy read but what was beneath it, wasn't! I'm glad you wrote this in poetry form because to read what was beneath was so hard I couldn't finish reading it. I think you found a great way to write this horrific true tale. I think more people will read the story by having it in this form of write. More people should read it and be aware of what happens in this world. This saddens the heart! I praise you for choosing poetry as your way to express. It lessened the blow of reading, but gave the reader a look at cruelty we all should be aware of. Bravo for taking on this project! Definitely worth even more than six stars! :o) Helvi
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
-
Thank you so much, Helvi, for this precious review which I deeply appreciate. I worried about whether the story was a bit too horrific for posting but it was the mother's words that I couldn't get out of my head. Your lovely words of reassurance are gratefully received. Take care Debbie
Comment from Brenda Strauser
I never heard of this story. This is so sad. Especially the fact that he was a policeman and she trusted him. The poem was well written. The picture shows well, the grief the mother was experiencing and goes well with your words. Great job.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
|
I never heard of this story. This is so sad. Especially the fact that he was a policeman and she trusted him. The poem was well written. The picture shows well, the grief the mother was experiencing and goes well with your words. Great job.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
-
Thank you so much, Brenda, for your kind and thoughtful review! As ever, your support and encouragement are greatly appreciated. Take care, Debbie
Comment from Lisasview
Hi Debbie,
Evening here in Spain... your rhyming words of this terrible incident were so well written and flowed so well but they were extremely difficult to read...
Usually I read all your authored notes but I could not with this one..
Lisa
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
|
Hi Debbie,
Evening here in Spain... your rhyming words of this terrible incident were so well written and flowed so well but they were extremely difficult to read...
Usually I read all your authored notes but I could not with this one..
Lisa
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
-
Bless you for this very kind review, Lisa! I'm sorry it was a bit of a shock to read but I'm very grateful you did. I couldn't get the mother's words out of my head when I heard them recently in a documentary. How the parents attended court and remained so composed with that monster in the dock is an absolute wonder to me. Thank you again. Take care and I hope the knee is recovering well. Debbie
-
Yes, these horrible things happen... I am reminded of watching the news years ago about a teenager was raped and I believe her arm was cut off or something like that... And, how she crawled onto a main road and was saved. The man was caught and went to prison... The news was showing her at the court 15 years later and as about his was being released... and her fear...
This has never left me...
Lisa
Comment from Sally Law
This is just heartbreaking, my friend. I haven't heard about this but I realize police corruption exists worldwide. It a tough thing when someone hides behind their badge or doctors degree like Doctor Eduardo Sanchez in Murder By Chocolate. Most upsetting was the inability to mourn her and the Covid police being so ridiculous. We had similar things like it in New Yotk, gathering for worship and funerals. I am so glad I live in Florida. Our governor handed Covid so well. Thank you for sharing this and the added notes really helped.
Love and blessings,
Sal Xos
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
|
This is just heartbreaking, my friend. I haven't heard about this but I realize police corruption exists worldwide. It a tough thing when someone hides behind their badge or doctors degree like Doctor Eduardo Sanchez in Murder By Chocolate. Most upsetting was the inability to mourn her and the Covid police being so ridiculous. We had similar things like it in New Yotk, gathering for worship and funerals. I am so glad I live in Florida. Our governor handed Covid so well. Thank you for sharing this and the added notes really helped.
Love and blessings,
Sal Xos
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
-
Yes, I was thinking about your character, Sanchez. Sometimes they're the last to be suspected, of course. Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review, always a pleasure to receive. Take care Debbie xos
