My heart goes out to the people of Paris

I wake up earlier than planned and see a world that is shining brightly.
Everything around me is bathed in shades of purple, orange, red and pink.
High above, the clouds stand out in a sky that seems to be on fire.
Far below my balcony the wet streets reflect the fire-like colours above.

I wonder - Is the world celebrating?
Is the Source of All showing off just a bit?
Is the sky dressed up in anticipation of a celebration?
Is today special somehow, unique or amazing?

I ponder the possibilities as slowly reality sets in.
Before going to bed I heard the news from Paris.
Forty people dead. Perhaps a hundred held hostage.
Panic and mayhem and men with guns on the streets.

I stand on my balcony listening to the silence.
The pit-pat of rain coming down on the near-empty streets.
Birds soaring past greeting the dawn of another day.
It is peaceful and quiet where I stand. And yet.

Only hours away chaos and terror reign.
Only hours ago, over a hundred people died.
The news tells me the death toll now stands at 120 people.
Killed. Brutally murdered. Why? What for? Who for?