Seeing, feeling, hearing the heartache.
Squealing sirens rush in the background.
Utter chaos fills the crowded streets.
      Alone, I stand in the madness.

Wandering children with fear filled eyes,
Wounded and dead block the streets and sidewalks,
Tears drip down the faces of the hopeless,
      Alone, I stand in the madness.

To safety, they run like scurrying ants.
They hide and cower through the smoke and ash.
The dust settles on their clothes and hair.
      Alone, I stand in the madness.
  
Fearful people, hopeless people run,
Run from the danger and hurting and pain:
Scorching, burning, excruciating pain.
      Alone, I stand in the madness.

A mother kneels beside a lifeless son.
A child gropes at a dead father’s clothes.
Amputated limbs scatter the brush.
      Alone, I stand in the madness.

Surrounded by these horrific scenes,
Scarred by the magnitude of destruction,
Witnessing this display, my legs fall.
      Alone, I lie in the madness.

I lie awaiting a better hour.
I close my eyes to hide the thirsty flames.
I fall into a state of numbness.
      Alone, I lie in the madness.

Somewhere, in a safe, quiet setting,
Someone is smiling, chuckling, laughing,
Watching the flames lap at the houses.
      Someone is laughing at the madness.