KARORO OKURUT<br><b>A literary and socio-political analyst</b><br><br>Like Rachel wept for her children killed at Herod’s word, Uganda weeps for hers downed in flames at Budo Junior <br>Their lives chopped so ghastly, so early by a fiery sword <br>By hands unknown, hearts so hard, with no aid
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.