Ashes Fall on the Children

Ashes fall on Arielle's head
As she holds her doll in her mouth.
She hums the tune Mommy taught her
As she waits for her to return.

Arielle is her Daddy's girl,
Brave and lovely as a sunrise.
She hides herself like Daddy taught her
As she waits for him to return.

Rumblings sound in the distance,
Piercing wails scare Arielle.
She bites down harder on her doll
To keep from screaming at the noise.

Arielle holds the family picture
Of Mommy and Daddy hugging her.
She hums the tune Mommy taught her
As she waits for them to return.

The hours grow long and she wonders
When will Mommy and Daddy come back?
She starts to pray like Daddy taught her,
The tears stream down her ash-smudged cheeks.

Ashes fall on Arielle's head
As she holds her doll in her mouth.
When she is found she will be in new arms,
The Lord Jesus Christ to hold her closely.

July, 2006 Glen Alan Woods

Written on behalf of children and their families in Israel and Lebanon who are being hurt and killed as a result of the current war. Despite what you may think about who is right or wrong and regardless of what you may believe about any justification for war or the lack thereof, never forget that innocent people like the fictional Arielle and her Mommy and Daddy do get hurt as a result of hostilities. As you read this keep in mind that in this conflict and in others around the world, there are many more Arielles waiting and wondering, humming and praying just like Mommy and Daddy taught them.