The desert wind fell silent
The day our Marla died
She could not stop the bloodshed
With all her heart, she tried.

Scores of Muslim families
From Baghdad to Kirkuk
Shared their tears and broken dreams
Coaxed by her gentle touch.

Marla Ruzicka, Marla sublime
Selfless girl, you changed the world
One person, a person at a time.

She named the blameless thousands
All victims of the war
Ayat, Beraa, Harah
She touched their lives and more.

It wasn’t about politics
Or ideology
She did it ‘cause it just was right
To help them in their need.

Marla Ruzicka, Marla sublime
Selfless girl, you changed the world
One person, a person at a time.

And then the final irony
Her death brought instant fame
A bomber snuffed her candle out
Immortalized her name -

Marla Ruzicka, Marla sublime
Selfless girl, you changed the world
One person, a person at a time….
Selfless girl, you changed the world
One person, one person at a time.

RIP 4/16/2005