My earthquake rap
If your whole world rocks
and all falls apart
one door will still stand strong
the door towards a new start
Not really a poem but more like a rap for Poets united. That's what I felt like. On 14 November 2 minutes after midnight we were shaked out of our bed again. It lasted for ages. We came free with only fright. Two people died and my heart goes out to all people affected. The epicentre of the earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8, was about 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch. Many places were damaged, like Picton and wellington and it was felt nearly throughout NZ. The worst affected was Kaikoura a well loved tourist place on the coast and it is cut of from the world. First a reflection on the Christchurch earthquake.
If your whole world rocks
and all falls apart
one door will still stand strong
the door towards a new start
Part 1 EQ 2010-2011
Christchurch has its heart ripped out,
we shout; It’s a pity, this city
now full of cones, stones and cars
where once were shops and bars
people had no hurry, no worry
Then houses were old
now they are sold or rented out for gold
people get cold
live now on the street because of greed
But houses are coming one day
with some delay
we may all have an EQ proof, roof again
a city full of hustle and buzzle
in a jacket of glass and steel
with a modern feel
What a blast of the past
when we see an old building pop up
next to a new shop
our hearts go out
we shout; what a delight
we might think of the old days
before the earthquake
we shake it off
as we always do
a city full of hustle and buzzle
in a jacket of glass and steel
with a modern feel
What a blast of the past
when we see an old building pop up
next to a new shop
our hearts go out
we shout; what a delight
we might think of the old days
before the earthquake
we shake it off
as we always do
walk out of the blue
get back into the hustle and the buzzle
of a city that lives and makes us belong.
get back into the hustle and the buzzle
of a city that lives and makes us belong.
the press
Part2 EQ 2016
kaikoura has its lungs ripped out; it can’t breathe, the place is death as the land, got jammed, landslides all over the road, tunnels are blocked, people shocked, cut off from the world. In a minute people lost it all, as their belongings did fall with a smack, their houses a wreck. But out of the rubble came a bubble of hope, as Richie McCaw, came with his heli, you don’t see him daily in Kaikoura flying, I am not lying and a farmer rescued some cows stuck on an island, up on the highland, looking flabbergasted, as they fasted for a day, now they stay, in better grassland, everyone helps out, as people open their heart and share, which is a start to humanity and care. Kia Kaha, we will rise again, every time we will climb up, so mother earth let it stop. oh Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud, I shout, I scream, land covered with the invisibility of a dream, let calmness invade the earth crust, just, let it rest and continue with what you do best, fill endless souls with the bliss of your beauty.
Hi Marja - I'm so glad you are all right ... those poor cows, but I'm glad they are rescued. Thanks for letting us know - it must be one of the most frightening experiences to have been through. I know you will be all helping each other and slowly you will come together again having recovered. With thoughts - Hilary
ReplyDeleteGiven the results of our resent election, I feel just like those cows.
ReplyDeleteA good rap about a terrible disaster. Glad you are okay. Hope your son is okay too. It must have been scary for you all. The cow story is amazing. We saw it on TV too.
ReplyDeleteWe are all good.My daughter lives in Wellington and they still have aftershocks and on top of it slips and floodwater up to half a meter deep caused by storms.
DeleteIk vind het zo erg voor jullie, als je net alles weer een beetje hebt opgeruimd en herstelt, weer zo'n heftige aardbeving. Moest meteen aan je denken toen ik Christchurch hoorde. Wat een angstige beleving moet dat zijn als alles beweegt. Hoop dat je niet te veel schade hebt aan je huis. Veel sterkte!
ReplyDeleteYour wonderful stream of consciousness writing had me in its grasp. I saw it on the news, including the cows, and was aghast. You came to mind immediately. I know no one else in NZ so I was glad to hear you were safe! I pray calmness combats chaos everywhere.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been a frightful experience when caught in a calamity as this. More so when one was unsure where it would strike within the hour. Going to higher ground would be the logical thing to do. But aftershocks would sustain the fright all the time!
ReplyDeleteHank
Hoop dat jullie er als land snel weer bovenop kunnen krabbelen.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful, during such times, how people come together to help each other. I am glad you are all right. And that the cows were rescued, poor things. I love best your haiku about the door of opportunity. Awesome to see the positive!
ReplyDeleteMarja, I'm glad you and your family are safe. New Zeeland has always been considered sort of a Paradise, but when God gets angry, there's not much one can do about, except perhaps...become a rapper.
ReplyDeletehaha Duta no I am not becoming a rapper but it helps to load of steam :)
Deletethe most important you are safe
ReplyDeleteGlad you are okay, and that so many rallied,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Marja I am so pleased you are ok.. I will try again as I do not think my comment got posted as I was logged out..
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking of you and so pleased you are fine..
I saw the footage of those cows who surfed down the hill how lucky were they.. My heart goes out to you all..
Please take care..
Much love Sue xxx
Oh Marja ... i am glad you are OK.... such frightening news ... we live in Florida in The winter now ... not hurricane season there if were lucky, but because we have a tiny house there, we keep a careful eye on the weather... one came close this summer..... but not as bad as the one you went through.
ReplyDeleteHard for me to even begin to imagine such an experience. Your words help me understand the reality in showing me the details.
ReplyDeleteMarja, I have been in Christchurch; and if I remember correctly this is not the first serious earthquake in the area. I am glad that the cows were rescued. I hope many find the door to a new start.
ReplyDeleteSuch powerful words in this fresh rap. NZ has been in my prayers. I was glad to see the cows saved in their open environment. They became a symbol to me of thepeople and the land. Most I like how you negotiated the reality of a land in two realms--dreamscape and reality. May your poem travel far, and you walk in safety.
ReplyDeleteProfound words. So glad you are ok. What a terrible disaster.
ReplyDeleteProfound words. Glad you are ok.
ReplyDeleteYes that 'one door' will always be there for all. Love the positive vibe. May you all be safe.
ReplyDeleteLove the positivity in your verse. Sending love and prayers your way ❤️
ReplyDeleteGlad you are safe, Marja! My prayers and thoughts are with everyone in the area, stay safe!
ReplyDeletethank you for posting...we get all caught up in our daily lives and soon forget who really is in charge...may your have peace, rest and recovery...bkm
ReplyDeleteGreat rap there Marja. How awful to get shaken up again, but I'm glad Christchurch was not badly hit this time.
ReplyDeleteHaving lived through an earthquake in Greece when I was a child, Marja, I can appreciate your words and feelings. Now of course there is the quake in Japan and its aftermath that we are aware of. I am thinking of all the people affected and can only hope that survivors will help one another out as much as possible. This is usually the case - the hardest hit who survive are the ones who extend a helping hand to others of their kind...
ReplyDelete