Though we all know that death is inevitable, it seems we never get used to it.

The sense of shock and devastating loss takes on added proportion when a life is taken by another for no sensible reason, as happened Thursday in the case of talented young footballer Miss Tarania Clarke.

We are told that Miss Clarke was stabbed during an argument with an acquaintance over a cellphone.

The sheer stupidity of such an act cripples the soul.

Unfortunately, that kind of mindless violence has plagued Jamaica for as long as anyone wants to remember — contributing to the country’s position among the murder capitals of the world.

Miss Clarke’s family and community have felt more than their fair share of grief as a result of this scourge.

We are told that “not too long ago” her brother was gunned down in the tough Mountain View community which Miss Clarke called home.

We feel the pain in the lamentation of her mother, Miss Charmaine Riley-Clarke: “I don’t know what the Devil want with my children…, but in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I am just asking God to handle it because I can’t.”

For sports lovers and football followers the loss of Miss Clarke will be even more of a blow because of her wonderful talent and potential for excellence.

At just 20 years old Miss Clarke was a leader, skippering her club side Waterhouse FC.

She was part of the national squad, representing her country in the Caribbean leg of Olympic qualifiers recently.

We are told that Miss Clarke was one of only a few to represent Jamaica at all levels — Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and the senior Reggae Girlz team — and that she possessed immense potential that could have seen her achieve a successful, professional football career at the highest level.

We hear that Miss Clarke was preparing to attend university in the United States come January.

Talent and potential apart, Miss Clarke was, from all reports, a friendly, warm personality, with much to give.

We note the words of her mother: “It is tough for the whole community, everybody feel it. If that little girl has any enemy, we don’t know about it, not even the girl that stabbed her …”

Jamaica Football Federation President Mr Michael Ricketts and Coach Mr Xavier Gilbert have also spoken to the ‘positivity’ of Miss Clarke’s personality.

Such as the circumstances are, it would be easy for family, friends and others to fall victim to hopelessness and bitter cynicism.

Yet if they are to do justice to Miss Clarke’s short life, they must remember and bring to the fore all those qualities which made her a light in their lives.

And for all of us, this is just one more example of the urgent need to somehow deal with the thoughtless tendency towards violence which, for way too long, has sold this country short.