Bastille Day Terror Attack In Nice (France) - Immeasurable Grief Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

As they stood in the crowd
watching with enthusiasm the fireworks
lighting up the night skies,
suddenly their hopes and fates collided
against their own expectations of amusement of delight
when onto them a truck driver drove
without mercy or concern, making them run;
some died, some got injured, some escaped the horror;
and though they were innocent and expecting no rage,
no terror to spoil their dreams of tomorrow;
the young, the old, even children,
unto fatality of terror succumbed;
and just like one slot on the roulette makes winners
other slots take a defeat and walk away as losers,
so will another city, another street confront
scenes of bloodshed and tears
when such acts of vengeance get re-played.
some will live in fears of such an anticipation,
some by prayers will abide
but will the city of Nice ever wake up to serenity again
when cries of pain and grief will keep resounding
as they keep recollecting
those they loved, lost their lives
for no faults of their own?
Can death ever take away the patriotism
which has been passed on by the forefathers
to their generations?
Can mind and heart ever cease to love and honor
one's country's historical past and glories?
Can terror ever succeed to extinguish
the candle of nationalism which every child
lights up and cherishes with endless grace?