Why?

Sometimes, when bad things happen to innocent people, we usually wonder why it had to happen to that person. Some think that it is not helpful to ask why it happened, calling it destiny, fate, the will of God, maktub..you name it.

 I shall ask why, for a few hours ago, I lost a young nephew. Three months old he was…innocent, sweet, still had the “new baby smell”. I wrote a few verses, asking why. Somebody please tell me why…

Why?

Never question destiny, they said, but I do.

Never ask why things happen the way they do, they say, but I do.

How can you not ask?

When The Reaper approaches with a smiling face,

Yet beyond the mask, it is out on an evil task?

How can you not ask?

When the sun rose and even before he emerged from the sack,

It had already turned to dusk? How can we not ask?

I have to ask.

 

The morning dew tenderly caressed the grass,

Whispering promises of a life,

A life full of promise and without strife.

But the morning dew did not keep its promise,

For even before the grass could enjoy the morning rays,

Evil came knocking, asking to have its ways.

Yet you tell me not to ask; you tell me not to ask?

Why night has come too soon?

I have to ask.

 

Like a deluge after the kiss of the desert heat

He brought with him comfort, relief and bliss

Like the cool shade under a tree,

He gave a place for the soul to rest and to be,

And like a freshly sprouted plant,

He gave the hope of a fruitful life, free of want.

But now that hope is gone,

And once again, I have to mourn.

And you tell me not to ask why?

I must ask.

 

Pure, clean, blameless

What did he do to deserve the illness?

Whom did he wrong? Tell me who, now that he is lifeless.

Why must he now be in loneliness?

Far, far away from his mother’s warm caresses?

Why? I must ask.

 

A mother’s pain at losing a son, is

A father’s grief at losing a young man, is

A brother’s emptiness at losing a loved one

RIP Shawn, and remember,

I will always ask,

Why.