Monstrous Quake

On the ill-fated day,

Of 26^th of Jan,

Fate struck,

In the worst way it can.

The earth beneath,

Feverishly shivered.

Announcing death to many,

Who for a Republic Day parade had gathered.

Before the unsuspecting people,

Realized the intensity of the situation.

Gujarat was going through,

Major destruction and devastation.

Buildings came crashing,

On to the ground.

Like a pack of playing cards,

But with a massive sound.

Beneath these rubbles,

Lay thousands trapped.

In a matter of minutes,

Many villages were scrapped.

The survivors were too shocked,

To accept the truth.

They were left with no one,

To comfort and sooth.

Rescuers and aids,

From around the world.

Poured in, to help Gujarat,

As the whole state swirled.

People were being pulled out,

From under the debris.

Some were lucky,

While many, victims of the tragedy.

Following these happenings,

On the papers and television.

The cause of such destruction,

I couldn’t figure out the reason.

The pictures I came across,

Showed me grief of which I never knew.

And the trauma and pain,

The victims went through.

I felt helpless,

From where I was.

I wished I could be there,

To personally console people of their loss.

- Nandita Pai -