In our horror, grief, and anger at the events of this week, there are voices not heard in all the noise – the voices of the children left to die.
A Child’s Voice Calling in the Night
I can hear the child’s voice
calling out in the night,
lost behind the otherworld veil,
all her questions housed
in one sad word:
“Dad?”
Disbelief in her voice,
bewilderment and pain –
torn from her parents,
her family, her home,
from all that she knew,
hoped for and loved.
“Dad, why’d this happen?
What did I do?
I tried to be good.
I miss mom and you.
“Why did they do this?
I don’t understand.
I thought life was good.
I thought I was safe,
but my prayers were ignored –
no one listened or heard.
“Where was my God?
Where, the police?
Why can’t I touch you?
Please hug me again.
“Why were we left?
Are we to blame?
What happens now?
I’m not ready for this.
Dad?”