THE DAY IT RAINED ON MY PARADE - By Cathy Almeida-Lobo (This poem portrays the emotions of a young girl who participated in the Republic Day 2001 parade in Gujarat.)
So much was on my mind that day,
I thought of all I had to say
My friends were all excited too,
As all the practicing was through.My lines rehearsed and uniform bright
I was glad I'd slept well all that night.
Our flags blew proudly in the wind
The world was perfect for "Jai Hind"We were ready for the big parade
For good weather, I softly prayed,
For rain would surely spoil our plans
Of course it was all in the Good Lord's hands.The girls and boys were all prepared.
Not a single face looked scared.
We marched along with our heads held high
Our flags fluttered at each passer-by.Then, as we entered a narrow street
We felt the earth move below our feet,
Soon a rumble, then a thud,
And then it looked like it was raining mud.Bricks and boulders rained down hard
My leg was pinned under a pointed shard,
It felt like someone pulled my hair,
When I looked around, blood was everywhere.The screaming lasted for a while
I could feel the rocks all start to pile.
All around there was no one in sight
My trembling heart was filled with fright.My fingers seemed to lose their strength
As I lay enclosed by cracked cement
Those twisted, heavy metal beams
Had caused some of those dreadful screams.The earth then stopped being so violent,
But all my friends voices went silent,
When I tried to raise my voice to call,
I felt another boulder fall.I just couldn't think of what next to do
Though our parade was perfectly planned on cue,
Into darkness I fixed my gaze.
And seemed to slip into a painful daze.I remembered my father talk of quakes
And how the earth felt when it shakes
Perhaps this is what it really was
How many deaths would this trembler cause?Why did it rain on my parade?
Perhaps at home, I should've stayed
For with my family I felt secure
But now this pain I must endure.I lost complete track of time,
My face was covered with dust and grime
My lips went dry, and my thirst began,
What would be my next game plan?Into the jaws of death I slid
Just like every other kid.
My country tried to come to my aid
The day it rained on my parade.
VICARIATE NEWSLETTER
SEARCH THIS SITE
Read Newsletter Archives Advanced Search Options
A Warm Welcome | Going Back In Time - History | Parish Contact Details
The Cathedral | The Ahmadi Parish | The Salmiya Parish | Parish Schedules | The Sacraments
The Bishop | The Clergy | The Carmel Sisters | The Rosary Sisters | S.D.B. | The Ministries | Apostolic Nunciature
Jubilee 2000 | Christ Connect | E-Postcards | World News | Kuwait | Christian Links | Site Archives | Directory
Copyright © Vicariate Apostolic of Kuwait. All Rights Reserved. Site Credits
Address all comments and/or questions concerning this web-site to The Webmaster
This web-site is under the kind patronage of The Fabian Corporation
