Of bombs and beasts...

A bomb explodes, one child dies, millions of souls shudder, the roads are dark, the cars are few, the cops are distinctly visible, reservations are cancelled, dates are postponed, parents call, emails flood the inbox, barricades are being erected, drivers being questioned, bikers viewed cautiously, children asked to play within the gated communities, news channels replay the morbid scenes, public wastage dumps viewed cautiously, pedestrians maintain distances from citizens wielding lunch boxes, speculation spreads, pizzas are ordered, shops close early, terror feels closer and life more precious, fear approaches closer, cynicism gains momentum, the administration questioned, a greater empathy for terror victims from Baghdad to Barcelona emerges, citizens seek to understand the role they can play in curbing further attacks, politicians admonished, the country seeks answers, wonders if it is asking the right questions and tomorrow is another day of hope, faith, courage and determination............