On Thursday, March 11, just as on a September 11 not too long ago, terrorist fanatics saw fit to destroy many lives and attempt to kill a way of life. This time in Spain, not America, so our American media are not allowing the overall coverage that they would if it had happened in this country, however my heart is torn in half again, and I am awash with a "loss of humanity." Not only because of the 200 people killed in the bombings of four commuter trains, but because of the loss of humanity which affects the terrorists. At a time when, in my country, thousands of people are attending a religious movie, Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ", and feeling a renewed sense of religious and spiritual invigoration, certain factions of the Islamic world, these evil terrorist factions, are still killing many, and getting away with it. I certainly don't think this is a coming "holy war" or "jihad" as has been predicted. The terrorists are small insignificant cowards with big weapons and the means to sneak around and wreak havoc. Oh, that the inherent spirituality which caused Mel Gibson to create such a work of splendor and spirituality were at work in the Islamic nations so that good could and would conquer evil, and this senseless killing would stop.
I wrote a poem on March 13, two days after the attacks, and I titled it: "Por Que", or "Why" in Spanish.

"Por Que?:We are all on those trains: Atocha 3/11"

Quietude and solemn silences
Explosive carnage
A world bereft by evil dalliance
No end in sight.

Por Que? We ask
no one answers
As humanity suffers
Again and again
Yesterday and today
Ahora

The Murder of Humanity
Part two or two thousand
The Loss of Humanity's solace
Grief for mankind's folly
Por Que?
Por Que?
Around me daily life
Seems like all is just okay
But nothing is the same again
Por Que?

We are all on those trains
As they stop in their tracks
No reason for a future
No reason looking back

Lives are lost again
And again and again and again
Tonight will it be any different
tomorrow less than before
We ask the humane question
no one answers
Say again
Por Que?

No one is safe
No one ever is safe for long
A station in ruins
In which world do we belong?
The world will mourn again

And again
And again it will seem
Look to heaven and cry
And we still shall ask why
So let's stop and we'll pray
Por Que?