Poem 120: Family Tragedy

How can a man filled with so much hate

Deliver a Muslim family such a tragic fate?

Three generations that totaled five

Four now dead, just one will survive

The one who lived is only nine years of age

His whole future destroyed by an act of rage

This was no accident, it was a well formed plan

Conceived by the mind of a twenty year old man

The Afzaal family were just walking down the street

Chased down by Nathaniel Veltman who was in the driver’s seat

A black Dodge Ram equipped with a bull bar on the front

Was the weapon of choice for this tragic stunt

He was wearing a military helmet and body armour as well

This is what two of the witnesses were to tell

After parking his vehicle he instructed a taxi driver to call the local force

I guess the way he was attired he was expecting the worse

He instructed the cabbie to record his arrest

Perhaps he wanted to remember his “Satanic” quest?

London Ontario is where this scene was played

Now this Muslim community is so afraid

It’s just been over four years since a Mosque was attacked in Montreal

Six men were killed and seriously injuring nineteen people in all

In Quebec they passed a Laicity Act two years after that attack

Sympathy for these murdered victims is something that they would lack

This law prevents Muslim women from wearing the hijab when they are teaching school

This is just one career choice that was affected by enacting this rule

So a bad case of Islamophobia has reared its ugly head

Perhaps with what has transpired, we can show some sympathy instead?

How come it always has to take a crisis to stir some common sense?

There has to be someone murdered to come to their defense?

These people are immigrants from another land

It’s time to recognize their plight and begin to understand

Canada used to be a nation where anyone could feel safe and secure

This was our reputation and a major part of our allure

Mass killings on our home soil are still considered rare

The fact is that they are increasing and we must be aware

We can’t be complacent and let this incident slip by

We must act upon it before someone else has to die

This isn’t our Canada, it’s never been this way

We can’t be compared to the States who have hundreds murdered every day

The outpouring of sympathy shown can all make us proud

We have to show that this episode must not be allowed

The Muslim people are fragile and have every right to be

To restore faith in their new home is up to you and me

This proclamation is now in effect and don’t dare ask when

It’s time to let the world know in Canada, you are safe once again

All of these cultures we must learn to comprehend

In doing so we may achieve the honour of being called their friend