As the Himalayas gaze on

True story: 145 goddess followers in New Delhi were killed this week due to a landslide in the Himalayas as they went to worship a Hindu Goddess.

At her shrine

   In the foothills

      Of the Mountains

 

Death cloaks herself with a chanting lullaby

Brightly colored clothes covering worshipers

Does she litter along the Hindu goddess' pathway

 

The age old Himalayas appear to look on with apathy

Their ancient, weary eyes judge the trampled bodies below

They listen as Death once again creates a song of demise

 

When will they realize this fake god hides behind a smokescreen disguise?

 

At her shrine

   In the foothills

      Of the Mountains

Author's Note

Check out the news. This is a true story. Please don't be offended at my viewpoint stance

Reviews

[Ray Hamilton]

Everyone has a right to there own viewpoint
Very well penned
I don't know if this was God or Nature,
Then again some say they are one and the same { some ones viewpoint }
Live and let live, I never Judge some ones beliefs
Everyone has their own beliefs or a version
of the same, that makes it theirs

{ more personal walk don't you think }

I think you did well here
Ray

[Summers Under The Old O..]

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this. You've turned a terrible event (and sadly, somewhat common, in that part of the world at least) into a beautiful poem. The role you have given the Himalayas (as the silent, everlasting spectators) is quite brilliant. I have to say, I really love this.

As to your viewpoint included in this, it's understandible. I probably wouldn't have included the line, but then again it's not my poem. I think it is very fitting, since it's your view, and it works with the poem. Good job, I enjoyed this poem!

Summer

[Salvatore Buttaci]

A very good poem! Especially the stanza:

The age old Himalayas appear to look on with apathy

Their ancient, weary eyes judge the trampled bodies below

They listen as Death once again creates a song of demise


Sal

[Bhavya Kaushik]

Okay! Firstly, let me tell you this isn't only a single instance, there are so many instances like this!
There is actually a place by the name of Amarnath at the Indo-China border which is according Hindu mythology is one of the most sacred places in the world and at the time of winters, automatically by nature in middle of a mountain the image of god shiv forms and to get just a glance of that image I guess any Hindu would love to cross entire Himalayas. Since Himalayan mountain range is a very remote place and nature often show its wrath their...But nature's wrath is simply nothing in comparison of faith and religion, not only that of Hindus but it goes with every religion!
So...this is my true opinion, But...You have written it very well and it is indeed a great tribute to them..
But, I didn't liked this line -
"When will they realize this fake god hides behind a smokescreen disguise?" - For my faith, yes! it is offensive...But again, we live in a free world...But I will say I found it offensive to my faith!

[Nely Amorim]

I loved it, this is the kind of poetry I enjoy because it speaks of true news or stories or history and it does make me seek out the story to which is relates so then I learn more about the world around us. :) thank you for entering. I didn't find your viewpoint offensive at all.

[Christopher 'Windstorm'..]

i like the format and how the tradgic state put you into a writing frenzy, but you should not disrespect anothers culture and Gods. keep a open mind

[Wildfleour]

This was a great tragedy. I was surprised by the viewpoint expressed towards the end.

[Sarah]

I really enjoyed the way that ths was set up - with the repeating stanza at the beginning and end. Very beautiful, and made it to almost mirror the cycle that is our lives. Nice job.^^

[Nomen]

This is an interesting piece, Laura... I like the fact that you write about world events. it shows that you have a character concerned with others, and not just yourself. That is admirable, to begin with.

Even still, I think that no matter how religious OR even A-religious a person is, the religion or lack-there-of will not save him or her here on earth (perhaps not even an afterlife?). i don't think natural catastrophe strikes against humans or discriminates against beliefs. it is apathetic, as you had started to elude to in your line:

"The age old Himalayas appear to look on with apathy"

Even still, i really love the structure and flow of this piece. the imagery you create is quite beautiful.

As a side note: this poem actually reminded of a passage in Thomas Harris's Red Dragon, "Shiloh isn't haunted, men are haunted, Shiloh doesn't care." If you are interested in looking it up, it is the last passage of the book. Let me know if you do!

Always ~ nomen

[Charles D. Moorer]

I am not offended, I like it.

[bailish]

Condemning a god because of a catastrophe to her people. An arm for an arm, an eye for an eye. The forces of nature do the bidding of the gods. And yet, isn't it at our lowest points, when the forces of the world create the biggest disasters in our lives, isn't that the point when many people turn to their religious community for comfort?

Every cloud has a silver lining. If you dwell on the ugliness, you may miss the beauty.