Like a Phoenix from Ashes
By Anita Britto, Auckand
Bellevision Media Network
Auckaland, 12 April 2011: The 2011 Christchurch earthquake with 6.3 magnitude that struck the city and the surrounding regions of New Zealand at 12.51 pm on 22 February 2011 local time caused widespread damage and multiple fatalities. The earthquake was centered 2 kilometers west of the town of Lyttelton, and 10 kilometers south-east of the centre of Christschurch, New Zealand’s second most populous city.
The names of 172 victims have been released as of 7 April 2011, with the final death toll expected to be 181, making the earthquake the second-deadliest natural disaster recorded in New Zealand (after the 1931 hawke’s Bay earthquake). Prime Minister John Key stated that 22 February "may well be New Zealand’s darkest day". Nationals from more than 20 countries are among those missing.
This poem written by Anita Britto “Like a Phoenix from Ashes” conveys the feelings of every New Zealander.
Anita Britto
Like a Phoenix from Ashes
While the tectonic plates in my chest collide
I feel a tightness which doesn’t subside
There are feelings of anguish, of fear and despair
While I want to reach out and say that I care
I think of so many we’ve lost in this quake
Of those buried in rubble, never to awake
We’ve lost our Cathedral in a beautiful place
And many loved ones, whom we cannot replace
We feel so helpless to be brought to this plight
To be rattled and rocked in such an unfair fight
While our monuments fell, our spirit didn’t falter
For we have values as firm as the rock of Gibraltar
We’re Kiwis at heart and we did all we could
And helped those who struggled as we tried to do good
While we all have our fault lines, with many a crack
Compassion and Kindness, we don’t seem to lack
We all were Crusaders on that fateful day
While we stood to help out without running away
There were acts of kindness which should not surprise
For we’re a nation which has many angels in disguise
While I hate politicians I have to concede
That they left no stone unturned in this hour of need
"John" was amazing and he’s tried every "Key"
To lift up our spirits in facing this tragedy
As for "English" he’s tried to foot every "Bill"
Knowing that for some, it’s a hard void to fill
Having "Mark" on board, I’m sure you’ll agree
Is a job "Wel don" for he’ll oversee
That our city that lies on its knees will rise
With Bob Parker to lead and supervise
Amidst all the debris, amidst all the noise
We all stand united with one Kiwi voice
Comments on this Article | |
Kathryn, Canterbury,.Christchurch,Shirley | Wed, April-27-2011, 3:19 |
Being in the earth quake brings scary momments and its realy nice to see other people feeling are hearts and trying, just trying to cure them!!! xox and caterbury love and hearts our out to those who lost their lives in the japan earthquake and tusunami.... all our thanks Shirley Intermediate. Biligal Unit Moari: Kia kaha kouto ma | |
Kairus Hansotia, Auckland | Fri, April-15-2011, 1:44 |
Very well written poem,displaying the emotions and grief felt by all Kiwis.God Bless you Anita | |
Nitin Dalvi, Mumbai /India | Wed, April-13-2011, 12:52 |
Anita , Never had known about this talent you had. Feeling proud and happy to see Our Classmate "Bruclee" with such a emotional and tender heart. God bless you ! | |
Philip Mudartha, Qatar | Tue, April-12-2011, 11:33 |
Tragedies bring out the best unite families, communities and nations, like nothing else would. Is this why God Ordains and Mother Nature delivers such calamities? | |
Roshan Pinto, Sharjah | Tue, April-12-2011, 6:38 |
A sad and touching poem, well compiled and narrated, on the recent catastrophe at Christchurch. Keep writing. | |
Naveen Fernandis, Mangalore/Muscat | Tue, April-12-2011, 6:18 |
Well written poem by Anitha. Surely it will motivate the readers at the time of destress. | |
Margarita Saldanha, England | Tue, April-12-2011, 6:04 |
A new bard has risen, one who writes with her heart.Very touching and inspiring.She has captured the magnitude of the catastrophe, the trauma of victims and onlookers and the indomitable spirit of the Kiwis who with their bare hands tried to pull out victims entrapped, heedless of dangers, forever in beautiful poetry. Well done, Anita Britto !!! Margarita Saldanha | |
Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle | Tue, April-12-2011, 3:21 |
A well-written poem by Anita Britto manifesting the anguish and hope of a fallen city that would definitely rise like a phoenix from the ashes. |