Terrible is the night we wait on

When the terrible things arrive.

The blame is placed,

The hand is stilled,

The suspense ticking alive.

Fires all set blazing

Seen from miles around.

Trigger the hint,

Warn the weak,

Of danger nearing the ground.

Screams through the town from the bell tower

Ring in the ears of the sick.

The injured run,

The slaughtered lay,

Waiting for walls to sink in.

Fear in the eyes of the children

Grow with the flames rising height.

They watch their homes,

Burnt and alone,

Die with the ashes tonight.

Longing for hope that is gone,

Tortured right out of their souls,

The parents weep

As if it will keep

Their children’s hearts half whole.

Lightning shoots down from the treetops

And tears rain out of the sky.

A family’s glance

Won’t keep the past

Away, for as long as they tried. 

Dust swirls around in the school yard.

Empty footsteps echo through halls.

Charcoal and black;

Signs never come back

From those who have lost it all.