Shawn L. Bird

The sea

rocks tiny feet,

caresses small hands,

steals breath and rests

tiny bodies on the shore

where they’re at peace,

but out of reach

of their father’s desperate grasp.

The sea

rocks small boats,

of dubious sanctuary

and with each wave it tosses on the beach,

points foaming fingers at those

who turn faces from the tragedy.

.

.

I decided not to attach the iconic photo of Alan Kurdi to this poem out of respect.  Instead, here is an interview with his father describing the tragedy.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/syria-migrants-canada-drowned-migrants-1.3213772