Earthquake 8.1

when Life hands you earthquakes... create poetry??

I.

 

When I said I wanted someone

to shake my world to its foundation…

THAT

was not exactly

what I had in mind.

 

II.

 

I could have done without:

that weightless sensation,

that fear of structural collapse.

The Knowing, in the place where

your stomach registers grief

on its own scale of 1-10-

 

the knowledge that you

are feeling people die.

 

III.

 

Yet I still say- the day you

invaded and conquered my life;

was more impactful

than that 8.1.

 

I stopped trembling

a week after the earthquake;

with you, the shaking has

lasted 4 years, and counting.

 

Aftershocks are speaking to the coast

the same way your voice

has advised my destiny,

all this time.

 

IV.

 

Some fault lines course through

mountains and valleys and trenches.

Others run some path

between human limitation

and the infinity of creation.

 

You cannot see the picture

on the cover of the box of this

impossible puzzle. You just know

the other is out there,

somewhere,

 

already waiting for you

in whatever earthly or

celestial destination, you

had thought of journeying to.

 

V.

 

We are but islands

of present tenses

in each other’s seas of

past and future mistakes

and universal potential.

 

We travel between them

trembling even more

then the ground in Mexico

right now.

 

Earthquakes have always

served their purpose-

they sculpt the exterior and

interior landscapes;

 

like so much clay

in the hands of infinitely

greater powers and wisdoms-

indifferent to their impact

on something as small

as a human life.

 

 

for FC. Yes, it is still you. 

It may always be you. 

 

 

Author's Note

On the night of September 7, we experienced here one of the most terrifying things I have ever felt- a magnitude 8.1 (some say 8.2) earthquake off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico. Luckily, it was far enough from us here in Xela that it did not cause extensive damages. Other parts of Guatemala and Mexico were devastated. If it had been any closer, I do not think my home would have survived and I would not be here. Almost 100 people did lose their lives. There is nothing like great trauma and fear of death to make you sit quietly and re-evaluate your life. We have since had 100s of aftershocks, as well.

Besides, I had, the week before, turned the potential of nuclear war, into a love poem. The challenge to do so this time was too great to pass up.

Reviews

[SoakedPoet]

love love love that poem you wrote!! love it!!

hey i felt that earthquake from the center of xalapa, mexico... were you guys alright?? I heard it hit guatemala pretty hard.. and just 10 minutes ago I felt a strong tremor and people went out into the streets for safety... you know anything about it??

[Marie Anzalone]

It was a 7.1 just outside of Mexico City, in Puebla. Many of my friends felt it; I did not. One friend is in Mexico City in the hospital recovering from back surgery. She says that several buildings have fallen round her. It is a mess, we do not know how bad.

[Marie Anzalone]

As for the 8.1 on September 7, yes, we were shaken VERY strongly here. I thought my home was going to collapse. Luckily, we "only" shook for a few minutes. There were casualties in both Guatemala and Mexico from that one- but our casualties were more in San Marcos; I live just a little further inland and our city escaped major damage. So far.

[SoakedPoet]

well thank God there is some good news in all this.. I'm very new to mexico and its way of life.. sep.7 was my first earthquake tremor ever.. Take care and keep up the good writing!!

[Ellen Hammond]

Like the phoenix, you have a gift for rising from the ashes, drawing beauty from turmoil. Well done!

[Marie Anzalone]

Thank you, Ellen, for taking the time to stop by, read and leave some words to mark your passing through. You have been such a model of strength and encouragement to me these past months- I appreciate you more, each day. I am glad you enjoyed this little scribble of mine, last night. Thank you!

[Legion]

That first stanza in part V says it all. Extremely strong. Kudos.

[Raquelita]

Thank you very much, Legion. I am very touched that you felt this one. Much appreciate your time and thoughts. Saludos!

-R. Marie