"Landed"

Always waited for it but truly appreciate the relief

Of a simple 6-letter msg, "Landed" only now, I feel.

The horrific airline tragedy kept me awake at night

To get into bed n sleep, it just didn't seem right.

Not when I can see the grieving families,

The unshed tears, clinging to a hope right in front of my eyes.

I shed tears when the bloodshed in Kashmir took place,

Upset at the innocent lives lost but the pain was diff in this case. 

Operation Sindoor brought its own "collateral casualties." the price paid by innocent men.

I prayed for a quick resolve and the families who had suffered once again.

The stampede in Bangalore was so avoidable n reckless, 

The pain at this loss was tangible yet not enough to leave me sleepless.

Why can't I sleep now? 

It's it because this tragedy seems more personal somehow?

Is it because it could have been my dear one...

After all, what's a plane ride for most of us today?

It's so easy to book a ticket n just fly away!

No two thoughts of jumping in a plane to reach our loved one,

Or for a vacation, a wedding or just for a weekend of fun!

I'm so grateful that it wasn't my flight yesterday

Or the one my kids took for their vacation in May!

We are a selfish breed. The shame in admitting it saddens me.

I understand your pain but I truly ache when I expect it to hurt my friends n family.

The sheer selfishness makes a mockery of my pain 

I will shed tears for a day or so n then forget it all again.

Will resolve to put my affairs in order before I travel

But, then priorities shift and our resolve begins to unravel.

That's the harsh (or is it kind) reality of life, a sad state of affairs.

If we don't forget, the memories are too heavy a mill stone to bear.

Writing about it has been cathartic and helped me release.

The tightness n gripping pain too will slowly ease.

The pain and the guilt of being alive, the gift of another day;

May the good lord continue to be kind to us in every possible way.

May He ease the sufferings of those who lost everything today.

May the families find the strength to face the coming days.

Amen