Tsunami Orphan

One small child sits playing
Her parents are outside
She’s content and happy
Gives her parents so much pride

There’s slowly then suddenly
So much noise all around her
Water and debris come from every angle
Within minutes her home surrounds her

Fallen to pieces so fast
Scared she begins to weep
She sees her mother being carried
In water far too deep

She cries out
And a wave washes her away
Her father tries to fight
But neither can he stay

The little girl clings on
To the biggest tree
Water is everywhere
Shutting her eyes so she doesn’t see

She hides for what seems hours
Debris cutting at her skin
Bloodied and bruised
She clings on to the branch so thin

It sways and threatens to snap
Suddenly strong arms save her
She is wrapped up tight and warm
They tell her there’s no girl braver

In one of the only hospitals still standing
She is laid comfortable as possible on the floor
As each hour passes, beside her, all around
There arrive more and more

As the days pass she waits to hear
If her family is dead or alive
One man bends down, and tells her quietly
Not one of them survived.

© Copyright Sharon Ardern 2005