Tsunami Poem by Patrick Rylands

For all those who confuse reality with fantasy – a warning
The following television disaster was not contrived in Hollywood
And although we will be showing you ‘dramatic’ footage, do not be taken in.
The tear-stained faces of beautiful children were not directed, the screams are real
And we ask you to try, despite it being dinner time, to imagine losing everything –
Your family, your home, your livelihood. We do not mean to upset you, of course.
And tomorrow, when you are watching ads for training shoes, keep thinking of this
The people who wake daily to the terrible intrusion of reality,
To a sadness they cannot forget.

And now – the weather.