To half mast lower

+to half mast lower+
Set half mast the flags
Cancel the carnivals
Allow workers to stay at home
Ignore the chores to be done
Place black cloth cross the Sun
For the end is complete
The dead are dead and we are weak
We live and act and carry on
Though emptied are those sea port towns
Buildings razed and ships found
Pushed across the shore into town
And under debris piled all around
Those who were alive can be found
Too slow or unlucky or never knew
The sea rose as earth shook
Three kilometres of fractured break
Sent a surge water fast as siren's cry
No chance for weak infirm too old too young
Without assistance of able bodied all are gone
And if able bodied tarried too long
In those places more coastal than inland
They do share with those they tried to save
The same stinking muddy churned up grave.