Asdawn'slightgentlycaressedtheearthonApril3rd,,,awakenedthewatersnearTaiwan,itsroarechoingacrosstheland,instillingamixtureofaweandfear.

InFujian,whereIwassavoringthemorning'sfirstmeal,thegroundbeneathmeswayed,,Iclutchedthetable,,sensingthedisturbance,dartedaboutinconfusion,,ourhomebecameacradlerockedbyaninvisiblehand,leavingussuspedinabreathlessstateofuncertainty.

Turningtomyphoneforanswers,'sepicenter,pinpointedbytheChinaEarthquakeNetworksCenter,layintheocean'sembrace,,itspulsewasfeltfarandwide,reachingeventoourdoorstep,remindingusoftherelentlessforceofnature.

Thisseismiceventdidmorethanjustshaketheground;itstirredadeepco,withitspotentialforwidespreaddestruction,compelsustoreevaluateourabilitytorespondandadaptinthefaceofnature'sfury.

Inthewakeoftheearthquake,theswiftmobilizationofemergencyrespon'sareminderthattogether,,weholaveringbondthattiesustooursharedhomeland,everpeaceful,everharmonious,everbeautiful.

Author'sNote:Theimageaccompanyingthispieceissourcedfromtheinternet.