A Poetic Reflection & Call to Intercession Columnist Minister Deborah E. Nyamekye

Introduction:

As we go about our day in the peace and comfort of our lives, let us spare a thought and intercede for those who

- are in war torn areas,

- are displaced from their homes and separated from their families because of no fault of their own.

- have lost loved ones through war

and devastation and are victims of rape and oppression, solely because they happen to be born among a certain community or in a certain nation. Even if you can only imagine as it is not your reality, that in itself is good if it compels you to cry out to God on their behalf. One person lifting up their voice and weeping before the Father for the sake of the suffering makes a difference to lives because this is the will of God. He is a prayer answering God.

This poem was inspired by the sight (on the News) of the 5 year old boy Omran covered in mud and blood seated in an ambulance after being rescued from a building that exploded due to an airstrike in war torn Aleppo, Syria.

Can you imagine?

Life in a place of devastation,

bombs flying hither and tither.

Your emotions shattered to smithereens,

as the buildings and lives around

you and knocked down trees.

Can you imagine?

Whole families disappearing

'cause of bombing and the

hurling of grenades,

either by death or fleeing homes

in areas declared eery war zones.

Can you imagine?

Babes, new born and as young

as five covered in mud,

blood and the wrappings of death,

either for burial or to live as zombies,

along walking dead paths.

Can you imagine?

Adults wailing, children

screaming, dogs whimpering.

The earth shaking at the

weight of multitudes fleeing.

The sounds of glass shattering

and buildings exploding.

The sight of bodies assaulted

and raped lying lifeless on

concrete spattered streets.

Can you imagine?

The silence of a ghost town

that once was filled with

laughter 'cause of the circus clown,

and people striding at ease

along its well paved streets.

With children playing and

lovers strolling.

Can you imagine?

Some can only imagine,

what is another's reality;

A reality of life torn to shreds

trampled underfoot and

devastated by war and threats.

I can only imagine.

©Deborah E. Nyamekye 24/08/2016