TRYST WITH TERROR Eugene Pinto Nerul, Goa (ex-teacher, Don Bosco High School, Panjim)
That fateful Wednesday night Mumbaikars saw a dreadful sight Terrorists struck with foreign might Our simple policemen unable to fight Audacious men just twenty to twenty-eight Enter Mumbai via India Gate Unmindful of their personal fate Terrorize the entire State Innocent people held hostage By Pakistanis playing centre-stage Bombs, grenades, guns and fire Destruction, mayhem their Chief desire What does this senseless carnage mean The tactics of war differently seen To curb our progress they are keen Surely nothing can their acts redeem Hundreds of victims killed or wounded Security alerts around India sounded Our coastline tho't invincible, indented Political shake-up now intended Firemen, commandos pressed in action 'Save o save', our desperate Nation Non-violent, secular embracing all faction Now brought to its knees in desperation Sixty EXCRUTIATING hours it lasted Stations, hotels, prayer-halls blasted Indians, Americans and Jews none saved >From the jaws of death of men depraved Yet stories there are of heroes great Saving many from their dreadful fate With presence of mind and clever ploys The enemies' attack on them did foil Numb depressed in mourning we lay For our innocent brethren whom they did slay For the bereaved families we do pray The courage to carry on from day to day 'Enough is enough' cried our angry Nation Young and old unite in determination To make our motherland a safer place With alertness, courage and God's grace Urgently endow our youth with skills To fight the terrorist who want to kill Upgrade our systems with latest tools Integrated action will defeat these fools Rise India, awake, corporate skills can be tapped Callousness, inept leadership should be slapped Accountability, solidarity the need of the hour Commitment, dedication can vanquish the enemy by far Complacent Goans vigilant be The treacherous enemy is lurking free In our very own vicinity Plotting, planning repeat tragedy I narrowly missed this terrible onslaught When my bus to Goa, in crossfire could be caught For the gift of life, I thank the Lord each day For peace and safety for all I pray Goanet A&E www.goanet.org
