Florida School Shooting - Restore Thy Courage! Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

I pray for those Mothers whose grief is boundless
I pray for those Fathers whose pain is tremendous
I pray for everyone who has lost a brother or a sister
I pray for everyone who has lost a friend or a loved one!

Sometimes when in the morning hours of life
innocent school students walk into the jaws of death
anguished parents, endless tears and heartaches culminate
dislodging serenity and calmness into a complete dis-array;
the blame-game makes one gain solace
the finger-pointing makes one feel comforted
it is not about life and death that one decries
it is about merciless and unexpected end, they shout about;
how can then one stand there and talk of prevention
when the feet have already sunk so deep
in a pool of bereavement?

Grieve, my friend grieve first and wane your sorrow,
pointing out to gun-laws and leaders
will not ebb the gloom around you,
those speeches can wait as this hour
is filled with sadness,
let the bereavement pass for those who feel agonized.

Our minds sail beyond oceans of disbelief and resistance
though in the end we know we have to admit
that death is inescapable when willed by God;
it is only when, where and how that makes the difference
unanticipated, unforeseen death becomes so inadmissible
that neither words nor tears can offer any relief
though we talk, we cry, we wail, we unite and express
thinking our voice will restore the courage we have lost.