The Silence is Deafening

Cries, Screams, Shrills, Shrieks, Yells, Squeals
Suddenly the silence feels foreign
Sounds ring through the silence
Where is the deafening silence we once yearned for?

Bullets, broken glass, agony, fear, pain
Suddenly peacefulness feels alien
Panic causes people to run in different directions
When will the deafening silence return to us?

God - where are you? Have you abandoned us?
Please help us to make sense of this chaos.
Send healing to all of those who are still terrified or in pain.
God - why does this keep happening? What else can we do?

The silence we once sought is far away from where we are.
The deafening sounds of fear and pain have replaced that silence.
God - we are exhausted and really need your help.
God - please answer us and bring us peace.