For the victims and their families
The mind seizes,
falls back in the
face of this horror,
unable to gain a foothold.
How sudden the light
fractures, the
condition of pain and sorrow
are too powerful.
We cry out
to comfort, to keep them
safe and whole.
How simple is the pace of virtue.
How compassionate
are peace and goodwill,
pleasure and happiness—
The sound of feet running
is for me dancing—
the substance of beauty;
how we celebrate with a big party.
No pleasure is greater.
No wound deeper.
Let us pray for all the victims
and their families,
help them
restore happiness again.
That is why we live,
why we die.
An ode to life
is a joyful song to running.
Stephen Cipot
Garden City Park
