A Tsunami Poem...published by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka

[pinerow]

El Agua
Ramon Piñero 1/19/2005


It was late
the children were
waiting
for the
promise of
tomorrow.

The very
same
promise
we
all
grew up
with.

The promise
of
new things
a promise
of
life
full
of
hopes and dreams.

It was late,
they
went to
bed
knowing
tomorrow
would bring
a brand
new start.

Mañana
would
be
wrapped in
tinsel
and
garlands.

For some
it was
just
another
day,
but the
new day
would bring
joy and
happiness
to their
friends
and that
would be
enough
for them
“cause
if their
friends
were joyful
that very
same
joy
would
somehow
fill their lives
too.

Many came
to the
banquet
celebrating the
birth
of a
prophet
(some say savior)

but
mostly
to be
with
friends
and
loved ones.



The banquet
ended late
that
night.

The dawn
brought the
mourning
masses
together.

The waters
came
Vino el agua,
What once
was
was no more.

The waters came,
Vino el agua,
Y con la marea
and with the
waves,
washed away
the hopes
and
longings
of so
many.

Little ones
old ones
female ones
male ones
fathers
mothers
daughters
sons
and too
many to
count.




There is
a hole
in the fabric
of
life
that can
never be
repaired.

Some were
saved,
others
were lost.
Some were heroes
Some were not.
All had
the waters crashing
over their
heads
washing
their
homes away.

Yemaya,
is come
to claim
what is hers.

The waters
came,
and
took
away
our
innocence.

The waters
came
and took
away
our babies
our fathers
our mothers
our brothers
and
our sisters.
We wander
about
looking
wondering

We look
to the
sky
and ask
WHY?

and we
clean up
and build
anew
and start
fresh;

and
we
ask

Why?

[JitterbugPerfume]

1. heartbreaking

lest we forget

[oneighty]

2. Your emotions wander far and wide

Pinerow.

180

[oneighty]

3. Whoops?

'Compassion' is the word I should have used.

Re your message?

180

[oneighty]

4. pinerow

I have been wondering;

who are the 'Tamil Tigers in Siri Lanka?'

180

[pinerow]

5. The "Tamil Tigers" are a separatist group in Sri Lanka

who have been fighting the Sri Lankan government...much of the damage from the tsunami occurred in Tamil held territory, Banda Aceh(sp)...the Sri Lankan government expelled most NGO's from the region, negatively impacting the relief effort there...

http://www.eelam.com/