I thought I knew before
How it is to feel heartsick and so far away and unable to help…
Now I see that I was only dreaming.
All the world sees
the few pictures are the same on every news-site,
the woman up to her waist in rubble, dust covering her like ash,
the naked dead piled on truck beds,
the crushed and bleeding limbs
the shock in every eye.
And no-one knows
there are no phones, no power, no internet connections.
The hospitals are fallen, missions full, no building safe to re-enter.
If you are there
and not buried yourself - what must your eyes accept?
Standing on the street corner or helping drag survivors from the rubble
Every way you turn your head there must be a thousand such images…
How long until you find your loved ones?
How many will be safe?
How many will be left amid the ruins?
Now I do know heartsickness and uselessness.
I thought there were no words to match the photos and the pain I see on the television. But there you are, understanding, hurting and sharing your heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this sad and touching poem. It's very much appreciated.
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