With you, as you grieve

In August 2011, many parts of the UK had exploded with pain and violence as the world watched in horror. This poem is written to those new Londoners who grieved.


You, so proud
of your new country,
all the joy in your eyes

when you spoke of your people
and their strengths
and foresight
even their administration
when they ruled over
your ancestors' land for years

Now as the fires rage around you,
I hold you in my heart
and say this

forgive the lapses
for we are all people
deep inside

with anger
and prejudice
and hatred
and envy

yet there is also
deep, deep love
and this too shall pass
nothing lasts forever
not the mirage of normalcy
nor the anger

all passion is spent
sooner than later
and then comes the calm
the regret

and the peace
slowly poking its head
from amidst the ruins
and we build again

as we have always done
through centuries
of existence

all that lives on is love
remember that
as your heart beats on

and place your hand over it
as I would have done
had I been beside you tonight