A POEM TO COMMEMORATE THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TSUNAMI

[Mike O'Hare]

I wrote this short poem just after the Tsunami hit back in 2005. As it's the fourth anniversary, I thought it was appropriate to post it here.

A SURVIVOR’S LAMENT

By

Mike O’Hare

Claim me not yon winter’s tide
Your wrath cuts sway yet does not hide
The palm bends nigh as I embrace its girth
Its roots hold fast beneath the earth

I cling for life at rooftop height
The stars begin to show the night
Daytime comes, the sky still blue
My brothers flow to pastures new

The task ahead is to reason not
I descend the palm, its leaves aflot
No time to grieve, nor tears to spill
For those who live do feel the chill

The time has come to reflect
And ask why death did thus reject
I had the chance to leave this plane
And find my brothers once again

Instead I start a life anew
With heavy heart and friends afew
A second chance to see the light
And bid yon winter’s tide goodnight