Pray for Paris
In November 2015, Paris suffered a series of terrorist attacks coordinated by ISIS militants. Gunmen and suicide bombers targeted multiple locations, including a concert hall, a sports stadium, and restaurants, killing 130 people and injuring hundreds. The attacks shocked the world and prompted international solidarity against terrorism. In shock and sadness, and to pray for Paris, I wrote:
Another tragedy.
More innocent dead.
How can it be?
What can be said?
One hundred and thirty,
Perhaps even more,
Knocked down and slaughtered,
Blood on the floor.
Blood on the pavement,
Blood on a field,
Hatred and blood shed
What did it yield?
Broken hearts, broken lives,
The future in shreds.
So many lost,
So many dead.
What can we do?
What can be said?
So many lost,
So many dead.
Brothers and lovers,
Women and men,
Hovering, hiding,
When will it end?
Give us some answers,
Please hear our pleas.
So many are crying,
We’re down on our knees.
Lord God have mercy,
Welcome them in.
Sit them beside you,
Forgive us our sin.
DLB 13/11/2015
The artist: Frenchman Jean Jullien, created the graphic as a reaction to hearing about the attacks. .Read more about the artist here.
Categories: Around France, Blog
Thank you for sharing this beautiful prose.
I’m far from a poet, but the words just came out this way. Thank you. Spread peace.
Very beautiful and such a truly sad occasion!!! How can any person just kill innocent fun loving people for absolutely no reason–it is beyond human comprehension–great job once again!!
Thank you, Rich. It’s a very frustrating state we’re in.
Beautiful poem, Debby. I thought there would be no words, but you said it well.
I’m not a poet but it seems everything I wanted to say came out in rhyme. Thank you.
Well done, Debby
Peace be with us all…
a very moving, simple and beautiful reaction. Thank you.
Jean-François Perrouty
Peace