Pakistan flood toll tops 1,100 as cholera emerges
By Lehaz Ali, Agence France-Presse   August 1, 2010  


PESHAWAR, Pakistan - The death toll from Pakistan’s worst 
floods in living memory stood at over 1,100 on Monday, with
 water-borne disease emerging as a threat to survivors.

*  *  *

Water
(Free Verse to be inspired by a newspaper article)

Water thundering 
through the streets
like the running of the bulls,
people clinging 
like spiders to walls,
huddled like corralled sheep
adding their tears
to the deluge,
as memories and futures
are swept away 
like driftwood floating funeral pyres 
and a dirge wails 
on the wind ... 

Oh Peshwar,  

Nowshera

Oh Kashmir 

and Shangla

your children are crying
the poor people weep
your living are dieing 
as waters run deep


 

august 14, 2010
Janet Reid