When Disaster Strikes...... Poem by Diwakar Bhatt

The night ambience of the city was casual,
The quiet of the midnight hour was as usual.

The people were enjoying the good night sleep,
Having obvious promises for next day to keep.

No body knows the ways of nature at times cruel,
When, where and how will strike a disaster brutal.

Suddenly the earth shook as if someone changing sides,
Mighty Atlas it must be on whose shoulders earth rides.

Earth heaved at places, at many places sagged,
Topsy-turvy it happened in no time so ravaged.

The wave of the quake passed like a serpent furious,
Earth was tormented by deep crevices so injurious.

Bridges fell like wooden models never put to use,
Tracks buckled as if done by some demon huge.

Tall buildings were shaking seemed little bit reliable,
But small houses dashed to ground in heaps of rubble.

Falling debris and the cries of humans created a din,
It seemed a bloody war with unseen foe never to win.

Some vehicles screeched to halt all of a sudden,
Others following tumbled under their big burden.

Fire broke out to make the situation further grave,
No fire tender, no water to douse, no one to brave.

People lost their wits and nervous they became,
Running around to save life was their only aim.

Complete chaos it was with no hope to mitigate,
Wrath of gods or a curse on earth to annihilate.

The destruction occurred in mere seconds to count,
For many buried alive, end of world it tantamount.

Who to rescue whom in mayhem of this magnitude,
Own life was more dear such selfish was the attitude.


The aftermath was more heartrending to describe,
Immense loss but no immediate remedy to prescribe.

Dead bodies were lying here and there to fetid
Death was dancing and satiating its hunger rabid.

Wailing women, sobbing men, a scene of lament,
Scourge of God it was, mortals cannot comment.

Many became homeless, condition turned morbid,
Human life became base, repenting and very horrid.

Such calamities are the results of our own steps reckless,
Boons, not curses to get, prudently should act and impress.