The Aftermath Poem by Hannatu Pqrs

It was a remarkable force
That changed my life forever
I do not know; I cannot tell whatever
I was doing; where and how it met me

Now the world scrambles to inform me;
Tells me a tsunami actually happened
It came suddenly, leaving all saddened
None like it ever occurred before

It waved a wand of destruction
So thousands have died and yet
Millions more have survived, though left
In penury and great dearth of a loved one or two

I myself saw evidence of this catastrophe
Right at the hospital where,
I was told, I was taken for repair
Bodies, bodies and more bodies, I saw

I was very impatient
To be discharged so I could
Come home and salvage what is left that is still good
And right now, I stand where my home used to be

Around me are children crying
It is evident that most will never see their parents again
I wish they'd understand that their cries are in vain
So they could save their strengths for a tomorrow

What I've seen around has convinced me
That I'm by far better off than others
Who are milling around the food aid officers,
To grab what they can to survive

At least, I have with me an old photo of my family
Which I rescued from the debris
And my educational skills could come in handy,
All more than I could wish for