wrapped in sheets
are carried out
one by one
through the night
people are weeping
shouting
calling for help
a criss-cross of cries
hundreds clamour
in a hubbub of crowds
suddenly
a man raises his arm
his hand a silent command
all fall quiet
silence runs in the roads
all you can hear is hope
breath held
in voiceless prayer
they watch
wait
dumb
unmoving
concrete debris piled
buildings tight layered
block on block
floor on floor
someone is hitting a wall
deep down there
knock knock knock
hush hush hush
knock knock knock
hush hush hush
and a fireman whispers
Viva! Viva! Viva!
Alive! Alive! Alive!
© Jackie Biggs
Jackie Biggs has had poetry published in many magazines and anthologies, both print and online. Her first collection is The Spaces in Between (2015). She blogs at: The Spaces in Between. Twitter: @JackieNews
