It is estimated there are thirty thousand suddenly homeless, clustered in many small villages near the epicenter that were destroyed by the recent powerful earthquake and aftershocks.
40 are dead of the 350 residents of Onna, Italy, one of a dozen villages completely destroyed.
another small family
a few more people
among many who feel fortunate
now living in their car that escaped disaster
near their fallen home, half collapsed,
the remainder in flames as they fled
near their neighbor’s blank faces
amid devastation and debris like bombs went off
dad does his best to cover the pain and terror
mother bursts into tears often, covers her face
wishes for her simple worn sweater left behind
she didn’t even have her favorite old sweater
close to what is left
of what they owned but can’t get to
protecting it, protecting themselves
with not much to go on
charity lines for food and water
the unknown is growing
encompassing
hugs and tears and hope
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
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1 comment:
You pick out a tiny element, the favorite sweater left behind, eloquently symbolizing all that is lost. This is the second poem I've read this morning that brings me to tears.
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