The earth shakes, hearts miss a beat, <br />walls sway, doors and windows rattle. <br />People run outdoors, gather in the street, <br />a mother runs towards the village school. <br /> <br />She stops suddenly, raises her arms, <br />bows religiously again and again; <br />while her heart silently prays: <br />'The children, Lord, the children.' <br /> <br />An old lady, dressed in black, <br />too frail to rush, can hardly walk, <br />comes towards her with open arms; <br />while people watch with grim faces. <br /> <br />Rescue workers battle valiantly; <br />but the rubble resists defiantly. <br />They seem to know the score, <br />the children are no more. <br /> <br />*The earthquake at San Giuliano di Puglia in Italy in 2002<br /><br />Isam Hussain<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/silent-images-of-grief/
