In an unprepared fashion
they cascaded towards earth,
Cruelly torn asunder from
onward dreams and journeys.
Blasted into a cruel nothingness
over hostile foreign soils,
Their freedom extinguished
by another territorial madness.
Wrenched out of an
altitude of near heavenliness into hell,
Shredded scraps of
humanity scattered into smithereens.
Exploded upon a resting
place of plotting and evildoing,
Respect evaded their
mortal remains even in that instant.
Strangers to each other
yet listed in names as the victims,
Remembrance afforded by
distant tears of those belonging.
Young lives curtailed
before long fulfilment and exploration,
Remnants of children found
in story books and furry faces.
Images haunt a very feeble
world of blame and cruel horrors,
More innocent souls fall
as prey to the death-making despots.
©Copyright Eileen T O’Neill 21/07/2014
Thoughts for the innocent victims of
Malaysian Air Flight MH17, shot down over Ukraine 17th July 2014…..
Brilliantly done, Eileen. My weary heart can barely handle this current outbreak of madness, the bombed plane and what is going on in Gaza. You help me envision the falling from the sky. No one should ever have to die like that. It is all unbearable.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this Eileen. It certainly is a devastating loss for so many. I also wanted to tell you that I love your beautiful new profile pic.
ReplyDeleteEileen, I think this situation has really affected us all. Your poem moved me greatly. I think it is the children's lives that so many of us think about, the senseless loss of future. If only there was not such 'territorial madness." Thank you, Eileen, for this very timely poem!
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for all those families and friends that lost their loved ones on this plane.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine losing a loved one in such a devastating way.
Thanks for putting in words much of what I have been thinking and feeling.
Wonderfully expressed.
Best wishes
Margie
xx
Very strong lines, Eileen! This poem is one of my favorite of yours. I guess as travelers we can identify with these victims more than with any other perhaps.
ReplyDeleteThe tragedy of it all. Human conflicts result in loss of innocent lives but termed as collateral damage. Pathetic! Wonderful write Eileen!
ReplyDeleteHank
this is what the humans have turned the world into...you've given voice to this deep suffering Eileen...what future do we have?...
ReplyDeletenicely captured happenings... strong and heart-touching.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautifully written, yet poignantly sad tribute to those who lost their lives last week in the crash. Innocent people who had nothing to do with the conflict yet lost their lives anyway. So so sad...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this potent but sad writing. Anyone who cares must be moved by this tragedy and you honestly convey that for so many who lack the words but still have the feelings.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth