We Will Remember Together-Thank You Halifax

On December 6, 1917, a French cargo ship exploded in Halifax Harbour, killing nearly 2,000 and levelling 1,600 homes. Within hours, the City of Boston dispatched a relief train.

Memories are longer than borders between countries.
Your tree arrived today wrapped in good tidings.
She's currently being pampered, pruned and draped
in six thousand twinkling lights letting Boston know

kindness always lessens the differences
as we embrace the the kindred spirit we share,
celebrating decades and decades of good will between us,
born from the horror of that cataclysmic explosion

in a firestorm of suffering and a tsunami of heartache.
A blizzard may have covered the destruction but we were not deterred.
That day in 1917 we heeded the call and immediately
headed north to help, surgeons, nurses, water and food.

Each year when your precious tree arrives we remember together
that we are not alone in this world, that we share our humanity
in a tradition that reminds us of all that was lost in an instant
and we are forever united in the gratitude we gained, thank you Halifax

 

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

I love this. These are the things that bring our countries together.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much KL and I could not agree more.

[Confuser]

What a beautiful reminder of a tragedy; something to store until another December. The prose, is wonderful and it flows quite well.
Memories are longer than borders between countries. (Wonderful line; great comparison)
Your tree arrived today wrapped in good tidings.
She's currently being pampered, pruned and draped
in six thousand twinkling lights letting Boston know -
What great metaphors and some symbolism, to me anyway, the twinkling lights. This is amazing and I could go on with every stanza. Thank you so much for sharing this. I will remember!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Confuser. You are always so kind.

[Confuser]

You are a fantastic writer! Thank you.

[MsJewel]

Wow...I agree with Ana - this is the best poem of the day... A heartfelt, beautifully written poem. I'm in awe of your talent..

:) Julie

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Julie, that means a lot.

[Matching Socks]

That was incredibly moving, I know this story so well.
When it comes to humanity, there are no borders. We are neighbours, we are people.
We help one another. This is the best poem of the day.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for such a lovely review Ana.

[Matching Socks]

You are very welcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this really moved me...nothing like kindness, humanity, they go such a long way...
and in the midst of the worst disasters there is always something to be thankful for.

beautiful poem.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you jacob and I agree. It is always a big deal when the tree arrives here. It is the worst accidental explosion on record.

[willweb]

This was a beautiful tribute to a sad day Icelandicblue. It makes me feel good to know that disasters like this are not always forgotten but something comes along to take their place that allows others to remember. I really enjoyed this today.

[icelandicblue]

It is always good to remember and especially meaningful to remember together. Thanks so much will.