Quake Poem by Dave Dunn

Port-au-Prince
a concrete mince
Grey dust still haunting that ghostly city,
settling on every surface, every cold still body....

Shocks seldom come as blunt
January 13th 2010 now burnt
into the memories of all who survived
Across Haiti lie the crumbled remnants of lives

Dazed were those who struggled to pull
survivors from under many piles of rubble
while waiting for this day-mare to end
Dry mouths yearning for a walking friend
with water free from malarias harm,
what now has any greater charm?

Awaken all people everywhere
at the tv news we stop and stare
dollars, pounds, euros and yen
such are the gifts of more fortunate men
yet the time it all takes is such
that millions still need so very much

And though such disasters pull at all heart strings
to try and help now generates so many phone rings
the noise might drown out the voices of others who
are still suffering famines and war victims too
this world cries out for more than donations
it needs the friendship of our many nations

We are united in so many ways
despite suicide bombers whose minds are crazed
the power of words can be good or bad
those that preach 'go kill' are frankly mad
for peace will never come to last
while revenge is sought for actions past

The bigger man will rise and say
enough of that, let's start the day
with actions warm and meaningful
every belly full, every child in school
and as Port-au-Prince comes to be rebuilt
let it stand as a symbol of peace, not guilt

©Rhumour
January 18th 2010