Earth Quakes
Earth quakes
Rumbles
Moans
Mountains crumble
House of cards buildings
Old and new
Obey the ancient laws
And fall
Choking
Cloaking
Burying
Shattering
Crushing
Lives
I am afraid
Solid ground liquefies
Turning known
To unknown
In the chaos
I pray
Friend standing with friend
Sees his world fall and crush
In desperation
To reverse the horror
He grasps deadly stones
Inspired with inhuman strength
He drags them from his sleeping friend
He will not wake again
I am in awe
Father across the city
Tries to reach his child
The car is swallowed
It quickly fills with liquid earth
He escapes
Running an hour or more
Through carnage
He finds her
Safe, playing in the park
I am thankful
Somewhere a phone rings
A mother answers
Her beloved child pleas
Rescue me
It cannot be done
As smoke fills the wreckage
Sorrow fills the heart
I weep
So many living souls
Lost in a moment of earth’s convulsion
Again and Again and Again
I am humbled
From countries far and wide
Help pours in
When hand reaches living hand
They rejoice in every tongue
When hand reaches unliving
Gentle compassion flows
I am amazed
Mighty winds stir this fragile bowl of earth
In drought
Rain deserts us
But plenty floods
And we are swept away
Firestorms
Burning fury
Withering heat
To those who fight and fall
Tidal waves sweep land
I am powerless against such might
It is Chaos
Constant murmuring
Breaking the surface
Of our fragile order
I am silenced
There are no words
None but His
None but His Word
Wrung from His bruised breast
Whispered in the calm
His Word to our heart
Word that tells of His Order
His Wellness
His Love through the pain
His Love over all
I am heartsore
I am thankful
I am strong
I am restored
Words by Denise Stanford © 2011
Pictures by Charlotte Dyhrberg © 2011
Within the Vine 