Elegy to Budo Junior’s twenty little angels

KARORO OKURUT
A literary and socio-political analyst

Like Rachel wept for her children killed at Herod’s word, Uganda weeps for hers downed in flames at Budo Junior
Their lives chopped so ghastly, so early by a fiery sword
By hands unknown, hearts so hard, with no aid near. The parents bleed, their hearts sore beyond measure

For their little ones slain, decimated in so much pain
Their days are darkened, there's no more pleasure
Because the 'light' of their lives was taken that night

Oh the terror of our little ones being consumed by flames
So alone, so frightened, without hope, without help
Such pain untold that tore through their frail little frames
In hellfire horror as they screamed, calling for help

Oh the picture of the little one who realized life was about to end
And in that moment went beside her bed and her knees did bend
Forgetting the flames, completely ignoring the pain she called on her God
Her soul to take to heaven above, her family to keep till the end of the road

When the fire was over, they found her dead
Her spare little frame bent in prayer beside the bed
She had crossed the bridge, fought life's final war with pain
Gone to the land where there's no more sorrow and no more pain

Where was everybody when the little ones needed them most?
Where were the teachers, the watchmen, when the little ones felt lost?
Left alone in a to-whom-it-may-concern manner to a fate so unkind
That gave them no chance at all, leaving death and destruction behind

We mourn their lives and all that this could mean:
Potential unrealized and all they could have been
Promises unfulfilled, destiny that was never reached
Because their wellbeing and security were breached

As for the parents, may God your souls sustain
His grace be sufficient through all the pain
May His angels bear you up and of your life take charge
Every gap to fill, every tear to wipe and every hurt to purge

Little angels above,
That your death be an eternal sacrifice for every child, is my prayer
That as a nation we shall now learn to watch our young with care
To mind their every moment whether awake or asleep
Like a faithful shepherd watches over his sheep

May the long arm of the law some day your killers pin
So they never walk free, to glory in their sin
May they rot in jail, may they forever burn in hell
So that when they are gone for all kids it'll be well

Ah Lord God! Many are your doings and mysterious are your ways
But some, our mortal beings may never understand all our days
Just give us the grace to accept and submit come what may
When our human nature drives us to question what has come our way
Yet still we celebrate the arrival at the Pearly Gates that night
Of twenty little angels all smiling and dressed in white
Forever your praises to sing, evermore in your presence to dwell
The streets of gold to walk, and sweet eternal roses to smell
They are done with the world and its hustle and bustle
And now live in a land with no more trials and trouble

Into your everlasting arms their little souls we commit
That in your presence they shall play and greatly delight
May the rest of us still in tears and broken hearts since that night
Work and aspire, your presence to reach, our little ones to meet.