Rachael Wood | + Follow Poet |
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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!'

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David Smith Date: 3/15/2022 2:22:00 AM Another good poem. I lived in Christchurch 72 to 88. Before that in Waiau. Born in Balclutha. You might my poem re Ch'Ch earthquake. What have you done to me - no 30 posted 2018. Login to Reply Rachael Wood Date: 3/21/2022 3:00:00 AM Hi David I read your poem, thank you. So many thousands of stories. I posted another poem on earthquake. Did you see it? Its quite different when you are not there, in dealing with it, but still trauma.