As Donegal comes to terms with the devastating loss of life from the Creeslough explosion, people are processing the heartache in many ways.
Prayer, vigils and silent shows of kindness are just some of the ways communities are sending solidarity to the people of the north village.
Others have turned to writing and to art.
Simon Gillespie from Gaoth Dobhair shared this poem about the sudden shock of the disaster and the fragility of life:
It changed in a second.
The relief of another Friday,
Another week’s end.
It changed in a second.
Talk of passing heavy showers,
That time of the year.
It changed in a second.
The nod and wink,
The quick muttered “how are you?” between passing neighbours
It changed in a second.
The daily stop
For milk and bread and maybe something for later
It changed in a second.
A weekend treat after school
A skip and a hop, the excitement of choosing
It changed in a second.
Discussions of weekend plans
Between workers counting down the clock
It all changed in a second.
To utter devastation
To lives collapsed
To the shattering unknown
To the mundane turned to rubble
To candles and prayers
And silence.
