At firm X in France
the year's top performers
ended with
a well-deserved vacation to Rio
and the children with family and friends.

Air France: Paris — Rio.

Air France: Rio — Paris,
back to their little ones in waiting.

… and then; the signal's gone.

The news - the search - the floating proof - the shock.
Ended 228 lives: tragic and helpless.

The news shook us, even though they were strangers;
the tragedy of those staying behind: the orphans;
the shook-up families and friends, moms and dads and colleagues.

Like thousands of tragedies in the past,
will this one fade as well,
but I ask myself -
touched by this agony -
what can I do, what can I say,
how can I be to bring more healing, more relief?
Where am I when there's need?

O, where am I when they need me?

      Wikipedia: The demise of Air France Flight 447.