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Syndic Literary Journal

For Lac-Megantic, Quebec

Written/Narrated By Salem State University Poet Kristine Doll

For Lac-Mégantic, Québec

 

Death rolled down a hill

in the middle of the night

silent as snowfall

while everyone was sleeping

and dispatched an entire town.

 

Disguised as a train

freight loaded with flammables

it gave no time for

goodbyes, no second chances

no moment for contrition;

 

Metal against stone,

an apocalyptic blow

incinerating

wood and glass, bone and muscle

mothers, fathers, children, pets.

 

A supernova

of destruction hurtling through

oblivion and

out the other side, shockwaves

of cause and fatal effect.

 

Did Death have a map?

Were routes surveyed, plans made, an

itinerary

built upon human error,

failing brakes, poor choices?

 

A detour, perhaps,

from another locale made

to wait, unaware

of its reprieve seven miles

down track, where Death burned the night.

 

                                    -Kristine Doll

 

 

 

 

 

Compiled/Published by LeRoy Chatfield
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