Idyllic beaches break the waves

as bathers line the shore

This view of peace is now disturbed:

an aftermath of war.

The ones who fled from lives they knew

have gone in fear and dread,

the ships that offered hope to them

are sunk with many dead.

 

And where is God amid the swell

where tides still ebb and flow,

unfeeling of this loss of life,

as others come and go?

The commerce of the world goes on.

Can we ignore the pain?

It is as though we’re blind to see

Christ crucified again.

 

The ones who drown are ones we own

as neighbours we should love,

how can we turn our eyes away,

avert our gaze above?

For when our politics conspires

to shut the door to grace

it is as though we turn away

from Jesus’ tortured face.

 

© Andrew Pratt 22/4/2015

Tune: ELLACOMBE (I Sing the Mighty Power of God)

The challenge of migration:
In response to reports of more than 800 people drowned off Libya’s coast on Sunday 19th April 2015, bringing the number of deaths this year to 1,750.