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Open Poetry #44
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The Victorian fires 2009
| Open Poetry #44 |
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The Victorian fires 2009 |
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Rick Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903Victoria, Australia 
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VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES JAN/FEB 2009 As I look at the carnage and mountains now bare At the slabs and the chimneys of homes that were there At the cars that are burnt as they tried to get free I feel all the tears and the heartbreak through me The people aren’t crying, but shock fills their eyes From day of mid forties, to death by surprise Of heat unexpected; forgotten that threat A death toll so tragic that none shall forget There’s a silence of grieving that chills to the bone A few people standing in thought on their own So many souls helping with aide and with care A sadness and heartache and smoke everywhere The wind keeps on changing and none seem to know To stay and defend it, or pack up and go In bush of such beauty but also of pain Where nature came calling; but under what name? People are missing and hundreds now passed The carnage of fire, how long will it last? And when it is over and then comes the rain How long before we are fighting again? The fires near over and under control There’s people still worried and out on patrol They’re still finding bodies, how long will this last? Once lessons forgotten and left in the past I hope that tomorrow when things become sane We’ll remember the lessons and somebody’s name Be wary of future and home that we choose Remembering dangers and what we can loose These days were reminders; how easy we fall And just how complacent we are one and all We don’t know tomorrow and what just might be But know it is coming though no-one can see So rest now the gone and luck who survived The powers came calling, then peace it arrived Today we are mourning and showing our heart Tomorrow, we’ll face it, so healing can start |
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| © Copyright 2009 Rick Van Weenen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
Good poem Nature can seem to be cruel, but it is just indifferent, I heard that some of the fires are now linked to arson Now that is evil. Enjoyed the read hope recovery is swift. Gloom |
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Boshii2 Member
since 2009-02-01
Posts 146 |
we made our run at midnight.My husband and me and an old blind mother,clutching her asthma puffer and her new cartons of Rothmans.I wrapped her in her mink coat thinking those little minks dont burn easily and wet towels around her legs.She forgot her nickers.I set bottles of water around her and told her to keep wetting her body.She is safe interstate now.She asks about her friends.I say all are safe and well,but they are not. Maybe you are watching my mountain, Rick. Murrindindi ? |
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TinaTrivett Senior Member
since 2006-07-15
Posts 569 |
God Bless you both. This is a good write Rick. My prayers are with our Aussie cousins. |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Enjoyed the Write Rick! ~Hopefully all is safe and sound Happy Valentines Day!  ARCTIC WIND |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
You coped with this tremendous tragic topic in a remarkable way, dear Rick. Poignant write! My heart goes out to all involved. May it never happen again. Was also impressed by Boshii's tale. Shivers! Love and healing. Margherita  |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo Rick, This is a well carried out poem. It’s a shame that Australia seems to burn periodically. I was there for the last great burning. Australia is a dry place, and of course the Eucalyptus Trees depend on fire to help their seeds germinate. Australia and fire just go together. Bobby |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Sad tears for you and all affected Australians. I have a daughter in Australia, but not in those parts. Owl |
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HopeS Member Elite
since 2000-12-22
Posts 4596Perth Western Australia |
I have been so devastated all week , but my prayers shall continue , As I watched the Red Cross appeal on T.V last night and saw how much it raised so far , it did show the true Aussie spirit and mateship Hope |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
First off, Rick, I would like to commend you, on this finely crafted, compelling penning about the tragically horrific fires that have been raging there in Australia. I have been following the stories on the news, and it has sickened me to my very core. Boshii's story was quite chilling as well. I had heard that arson may be involved ~ and if that be the case, then that person ~ or persons ~ truly are guily of mass murder!!! My love and prayers continue, Linda  |
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Rick Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903Victoria, Australia |
Hi Gloom, I too hope that recovery is swift, it is believed that fires in the Churchhill area were lit by an arson, just why they do it who knows. Thank you for you reply. Boshii2, how terrifying for you, really I can not even imagine being so close to the fires and going through what you did, I am so happy you are safe my friend. My parents live at Humevale, at the bottom of the Kinglake mountain and my sister at Heathcote junction near Wandong, both their homes were saved but a terrible situation to be in, with roadblocks I could not get to them, but they are fine and soon I will see them all. Thank you for your reply, I hope things go better for you, so happy you survived, take care and goodluck my friend. Dear Tina, thank you for your prayers my friend I too do pray for them all, good to see you here, thanks for the visit. Artic Wind, thank you for your wishes my friend and Happy Valentines Day to you as well, take care. Thank you for your reply. Margherita, thank you for your heart filled reply here my friend, great to have you visit here and share your time and feelings. Hi Bobby, it is indeed a very dry place, the fires came so quickly and time just ran out, anyone in the path had near no hope. Thank you for your reply, good to see you here. Owl, I am glad your daughter was nowhere near the fires, a tragic time here with many people affected, thank you for your reply my friend. Dear Hope, the Australian spirit does indeed shine through and the mateship is incredable, I am glad you for far away from it my friend, thank you for your reply here. Thank you Linda for your reply here my friend, it is a terrible time for many Aussies here but their spirit is coming through and time will slowing heal. Good to see you here, take care my friend. To you all my friends, again thank you so much for your replies, your thoughts were all appreciated. |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
Rick.... wonderful heartfelt write...the tragedy of the Victorian fires will be forever etched in our hearts...  RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
A great poem Rick for such a sad occasion. See you soon. Take care. Lindsay |
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Rick Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903Victoria, Australia |
Dear Roniece, lovely to see you here my friend, it is indeed a very sorrowful time for many Victorians, we all wish them courage and hope. Thanks for your visit. Hi Lindsay, thanks for your reply mate, was good to see you yesterday, take care my friend, will catch up again soon. Rick |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I am late in responding but my heart is with you all. Ellen DeGeneres had set up on her webpage a place to donate, and although I couldn't give a great deal, I hoped it might help someone. I saw that firefighter feeding that wee Koala water (and he drank 5 bottles) before he was taken to animal rescue to treat the 3rd degree burns on his wee paws. It broke my heart, to know how many have died both animals and people, not to mention the acres and acres gone for a generation to come. I am so glad they are laying charges against the arsonist Australian NewsWishing you all the strength to get through this. The world is becoming smaller, and smaller, and we are finally starting to care about one another. God Bless You All! |
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Misty Lilacs Senior Member
since 2005-11-15
Posts 1060White Birch Forest |
A tragic time in Victoria! My heart aches for so many missing and those who died. I continue to pray for your country and hope Mother Nature will look favorably on her and bring slow winds and rain to quench the fires. __________________________ |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Dear Rick, I worried about you and Lindsay and Roniece. Words all seem so trite in times like these - there is not much that can be said except that I care. I know that 2009 will live on in history, in the holes of families, in towns that are gone, in woods that are destroyed, in stories of the survivors and in the pictures that captured a bit of the power of fire. I guess we can't blame it all on nature this time - and that is the ultimate sorrow to me. Nature I can understand - arson I don't. My heart goes out to you and thank you for this poem, and especially these words quote: Thank God you are safe and I hope that your family and loved ones are too. Love, Alison |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You've documented heartbreak... and done so with caring and compassion. My prayers for all those touched by this tragedy. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
"Today we are mourning and showing our heart Tomorrow, we’ll face it, so healing can start" Rick, it's been impossible for me to respond to this until now. Please know how much you've been on my mind and heart. I know the scent of fire and carnage. The smell of all that has been burnt lingers for months. May you all join together in healing both homeland and the multitude of suffering hearts. |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
before I started reading my mind drifted toward how great a tragedy this was, but by the end of the write, I could not help but think what amazing hope...you've chosen to not only share the chaotic, but light at the end of the tunnel as well. Of course, our prayers will be with you. Anyone who has struggled against fires will be praying...thank you for sharing and helping us to remember just how personal this public disaster can be |
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Rick Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903Victoria, Australia |
Dear Mysteria, you have a wonderful heart my friend and thoughts that mean so much to us all here, thanks you for your generosity and great reply, very much appreciated. Misty Lilacs thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts at this time, rain would be a wonderful thing to have here at the moment, great to see you here my friend, nice you could visit. Dear Alison, thank you for caring my friend and all you do, it is a sad time, but time will go on and the people will rebuild their homes and their lives, very good so se eyou here again, thanks for your thoughts, take care. Dear suthern, thanks again for your prayers, they treat us to much peace and healing, good to see you here again. Midnitesun, thank you so much for your thoughts in this reply, it is a hard time, and one that will be remembered for a long time, take care my friend, again thank you. Thank you everyone, you are all wonderful people, love you all. Rick |
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Rick Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903Victoria, Australia |
steavenr, again thank you my friend, you have a lovely heart and your comments were greatly appreciated, good to see you, take care and be well. Rick |
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