Christchurch Earthquakes Quake

My gaze lowers building to the ground Multilayers empty landscapes, graffiti, murals. Past buildings merge into present car parks. I currently buy my daughters shoes here in this empty section. We eat here at this lovely restaurant, this fenced off parking rubble. I breakdown and cry outside the WINZ building after inhumane dysfunctional treatment. At least that building is no longer hosting. 'Please bring in the universal basic income' I say ASAP. Spilling guts on street, holding post upright she clings Grabbing petrol filled car door. Tending the wounded 'The children, quick, drive!' Just making it out before cordon closes central city. Tension eases the further I drive from the city into the countryside. Hills roll into mountains, firs wave, still autumn air instead of the earth shaking and people around me dying. Green and brown lands are still, reaching out forever. I am the one left shaking, being enfolded into such calm as I thought never to feel again. Country gift shop replenishes hungry eyes Normalcy, slower pace, friendly, not overly polite Beautiful colours, intricate designs, handcrafted, Relaxing until 'Where do you come from traveller? ' Honesty compels me to say 'Christchurch' Watching their expression fade into shock. 'That's bad!' they say, 'That's bad!'