December 16th marks one-year anniversary of the darkest day in Pakistan’s history. Lets spare ourselves the details of this horrific massacre that claimed the lives of 141 children and changed the course of their families’ lives forever.

The countless homes that were depraved of little footsteps and sounds of laughter.

The countless homes that would never be the same…ever again.

While the nation is plunged into a collective survivors’ guilt much like the last time, let us go back to basics and find solace in the works of the legend that conceived the idea of the very place we call home: Sir Allama Mohammad Iqbal.

Here’s to the 141 children that could’ve been:

Since you have been gone, oh you little ones, we have been immersed in this longing.

The wounds are yet to heal, the pain is still anew.

Your loved ones haven’t been able to let go, the retribution isn’t complete.

In the heavens you must be, but we can’t help contemplate all that you could’ve been.

If only the terrorists could have seen, how frayed their concept of morality had been. The God we hold dear could never be so cruel.

Those barbarians served their own agendas, they were never a part of us and never will be.

Let us continue to wage this war against all those who threaten the very freedoms we have fought so hard for; Pakistan is destined for greatness.

Here’s to hoping and praying that something so tragic never befalls anyone else in the world.

Images Source: IqbalUrdu Blogspot

Cover image via: souqjawal.com