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