They have stood here
For centuries - unmoving
Proud and magnificient
A silent testimony to
The generations that have gone by
Guarding us, protecting us.
More is less for man
He wants it all
A sense of pride in conquering
Gloating at his conquests
Counting his money and spoils
Grinning at his profits
Getting away with murder - of nature.
Himalayas, an abode of Gods
Bore these injuries silently
Protesting time and again
Warnings, man chose to ignore
Until she rained her fury
The tsunami of her anger
Wiping out the traces of man
And yet, the question remains
Have we learned?
For - Poetry Jam
The morning of June 17th saw one of the worst devastation of our time. The Himalayan Tsunami as it is called, wiped out towns and along with it thousands of people. The death toll is still rising. Read here.
Sometimes, I wonder if people will ever learn . . .So sad to learn of the Himalayan Tsunami. This is the first I've heard of it.
ReplyDeleteTouching and powerful poem, Janu.
Blessings!
Thanks Martha.
DeleteHuman memory, even for tragedies, is short-lived. More importantly, we are not inclined to unlearn because it means giving up habits and inclinations that have given us fiscal benefit. So unless we unlearn, we will never learn a new way of treating nature.
ReplyDeleteArvind Passey
www.passey.info
Arvind...landslides are common and we know this year after year. Department of tourism has to ban pilgrimage during monsoon but, all they want is to make money. I doubt that we will ever learn.
DeleteI'm not sure we will ever learn...We, as people in general, tend to fall into maya's elusive arms all too often, finding comfort and false meaning in illusion.
ReplyDeleteYes Jessica. Greed unlimited.
DeleteSuch a tragedy and how little attention we pay! Nice one, Janaki.
ReplyDeleteThanks Corinne.
DeleteThe himalayan tsunami scared the hell out of me
ReplyDeleteNicely written janaki
Thanks Afshan.
Deletesadly true on man's conquests....and the fact that we never learn...but will def reap the consequences...
ReplyDeleteSo many innocent lives lost. True what you said. Thanks.
Deleteman is so slow to learn. I had not heard about this tsunami either. Thank you for telling us about it- my heart weeps for those lost and those surviving.
ReplyDelete:(
DeleteIt seems unlikely that mankind will ever really learn doesn't it. Thanks for the link to the news item as well. We were on vacation and I am not sure I heard about this disaster. So very sad. Hope all your friends and loved ones are safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peggy.
DeleteHumans have always been ignorant of all signs ever shown by nature. We do the same thing repeatedly, don't we?
ReplyDeleteYeah...very often.
DeleteI'm so sorry! it does seem that we will never learn. Excellent poem:-)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a powerful poem, emotional and relevant.
ReplyDeletea man made disaster...
ReplyDeletebeautiful poem full emotions ...
thanks
Very moving piece.
ReplyDelete