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Tears and Pyres



In Honor of the Earthquake victims of Gujarat



Smoke from funeral pyres darkens skies

Of Gujarat, whose earthquake victims' cries

Ring out from parched throats in agony

So great, so bitter the calamity!



The western part of the subcontinent

Gujarat, Bhuj, - the deadly earthquake rent.

The panorama of destructions rolls

On our screens and stuns the minds and souls.



O Lord have mercy! - pity Gujarat!

Its helpless victims and their rescue squad

Attempting to extract the trapped and dead;

Or those whose life is hanging on a thread.



Three hundred fifty children on parade;

India's 51st Republic to celebrate

But now wood logs are fetched for funeral pyres

Disease is checked by the consuming fires.

They build them, - spent, exhausted and in haste,

Uniting ranks and lineage, class and caste.



We pray O Lord - do take away the sting

Of so much pain and innocent suffering!

So much bereavement, hurt and bitter loss;

Halt Lord, we pray, - the work of Thanatos!

Have pity Lord! and in your mercy deign

To lift them up into the Father's reign!

Transform the sufferers tears to jewels bright

So infinitely precious in your sight.



Elizabeth Dandy

1/30/01