In response to events in Paris, San Bernadino and other cities around the world that have witnessed and experienced the horrific imprint left behind by the mark of terrorism with its many faces and forms.

The Cry of the Raven
By John Herlihy

We live now in a shadowy world,
Darkened by black-feathered ravens.
They sound ugly and proud;
Their raucous cry akin to caw, caw, caw,
Echoing harsh, not a virtue but a flaw.
For now, they have their say,
As they continue to darken the day.
They prowl through the skies,
Those watchful, predatory beasts,
Searching at random with eagle eyes,
To bring life as fodder to their feasts.

They are far, but they are near,
A sinister plague to all we hold dear.
They swoop down upon their victims,
Shouting a ceaseless rant of foul dictums.
Their targets are simple, innocent;
Their life is gone in an instant.
Their flesh they tear to shreds,
They fly back to a secret lair.
To sleep peacefully in their beds.
Dreaming dreams of death and destruction,
To fulfill the hopes of their evil induction.

These are not the likes of those who pray,
Instead they devour random prey,
As we go about the business of living,
Yesterday, today, but not tomorrow,
A life now taken that was once full of giving,
Leaving behind the seeds of unbearable sorrow.
The ravens have now blackened our world,
Creating darkness in the middle of the day.
Who knows what the future will bring;
No doubt some day knowing bards will sing,
Of a world darkened by ravens on the prowl,
Whose cries echo across the land like wolves that howl.