My 12 year old’s reaction to the terror attack in Mumbai

Over the past couple of days, my wife and I have been watching the horrifying news unfold on TV. Lavanya, our 12 year old daughter, too watched the news on and off and ever so often asked if the terrorists have been overpowered.  Last night, soon after the tragic news of the hostages at Nariman House being killed was aired, Lavanya shut herself in her room for about 15 minutes. She emerged with a piece of paper and showed it to us. She had written the following poem that I think captures the pathos of the tragedy very well.

The city that never slept, slept

Ashes and shrapnel everyplace

Destruction and death all around.

Mumbai, the city that never slept,

Slept long, deep and sound.

Friends, family and strangers complete,

A picture of devastation.

When the fisrt signs of death

Got hold of a railway station.

Booms, bangs, everywhere,

All it took was a little boat fare.

The Taj and Oberoi weep in sorrow,

Nariman House got lost to the morrow.

Politicians wanted to give their speech,

To show how sorry they are,

To the hostages and commandos

From homes God knows how far!

More lives are lost,

More battles fought.

The war was raging on,

The guns just fire everywhere,

Victory goes to no one.

The terrorists may be killed,

But the void of the lost loved one is never filled.

The roads are empty, there is no sound.

Mumbai, the city that never slept,

Slept long, deep and sound.

An original poem by Lavanya Krishna (12 years), Std VI, Presidency School, R T Nagar, Bangalore.