L'Aquila, the Mighty, Has Crumbled Into the Dust

Suddenly everybody was awaken by the strong tremors of the early April's earthquake...walls falling all around them, dust suffocating them as they ran out to the debris-covered streets; with no slippers and shoes on their cold feet; people of all ages with their robes and pajamas on...screaming, running scared with horror-stricken faces, not wanting to be buried alive and actually die in the rubble! L'aquila, the mighty, has crumbled into the dust, and by the dauntless spirit of its people, it must be rebuilt: as it arose from destruction and returned to dazzle; the earthquakes that preceded were unpredictable, but this one was announced by a concerned scientist, who warned of the disaster, but authorities ridiculed him and didn't heed the warning, but rather called him an imbecile! O L'aquila, unless your bells hadn't rung, not everyone could have been told! This medieval town of L'Aquila was besieged by armies, but they never conquered it and its invincibility angered its enemies; now, it is crumbling, shaken by the fury of the inclement Nature; devastation is seen everywhere: churches with a toppled bell tower or cupola...castles and historic buildings heavily damaged; corpses strewn along the dusty streets...people searching for survivors: digging with their bare hands to save lives, and some are found alive! O L'Aquila, highest eagle on this devastated hill, see all the tears shed! A dog, limping and bleeding, seems lost among dusty stones and faces not so recognizable, is he looking for his owner; and over two-hundred fifty bodies not yet excavated... how can he find him? By Heaven's mercy, someone lead him to the piles of rubble, to let him sniff in the spot where he is buried...hoping he'll be alive, not dead! And why should everyone despair?...Isn't life worthier than those lost art treasures? L'Aquila, the mighty, has crumbled into the dust and light is erased from the taciturn sky; I weep like others, and my lamentation echoes in the doomed valley when peace was audible! O L'aquila, more glory awaits you: arise from the ruins and your greatness won't fade away! This poem is dedicated to the unfortunate people of L'aquila and those of the surrounding villages that were devastated by the earthquake of early April. Copyright 2009 by Andrew Crisci