PLATEAU

Cold shivers ran down my spine, it wasn't because of the weather but because of fear. I had just heard about the killings. I prayed so hard that the rumors weren't true. I prayed that the numbers were exaggerated.

I didn't need to pray again when I saw the crowd gathered, ambulance and police cars. The press were everywhere with camera, I could hear shouts and wailings. I didn't need to pray anymore, it was a reality.

Tears began to flow freely, a pain that words cannot explain gathered in my heart. Anger, bitterness, hatred...so many unnamed feelings.

It was a day of bitter mourning, burying the way ones whom we so dearly want to hug. Going down the grave were lives we never wanted to loose. We were left homeless and hopeless. Some with pain and guilt, so many "had I known".

The world may attempt to sympathize with us but no one can comfort us. Our grieving heart carries a weight we can't but bear. Life continues but true living ends for a lot of us. Surviving begins with endless striving.

But I look to the heavens and I remember the words of David "For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living"