This poem was written as I sat watching the Memorial to the earthquake in Christchurch March 18th,2011. All but the last verse was written then. And again today we share the floodgates of grief. The penultimate verse here is for the victims of yesterdays massacre at the hands of a terrorist, and I have used the final verse of the first poem repeated.
National Christchurch Memorial
February 22nd – March 18th, 2011
by Benita Kape
The Floodgates of Grief
for every wind-shaken leaf
a floodgate of grief …
in Christchurch today
a Komatua in cloak speaks
to the people, and the Prince
Prince William then speaks
beside him
a responder for hearing impaired
signs the words
Kia Kaha, Be Strong
beneath trees in a summer park
the crowd rises
speaking to their reflections
unfathomable
losses
resting policeman
with a child in his arms
sun in their eyes;
a politician speaks
of a rebuild of the city
‘call me loyal’
the singer
and his guitar:
above in the sky a floater
RISE UP CHRISTCHURCH
a choir boy
his young voice
blending with
Dame Malvina Major
in a requiem
the ‘task’ leader
reads
the Twenty-First Psalm
and is
applauded
small hiccup
in a smooth ceremony
then graciously
the flame
g l o w s
some still wait
for the missing;
stories,
of grim times
so much snatched away
hearing the words
of many faiths
the people of the city
share
comforting prayers
15.3.2019
Devastating massacre
on Prince Williams’ webpage
the condolence from
His Highness and Kate
a repeated message
Kia Kaha (be strong)
hearing the words
of many faiths
the people of the city
and the world
share comforting prayers
********************************
benitakape 