Open Poetry #22 |
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Port Chicago |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion ![]() |
Port Chicago They are allowed to gather here once a year - the few lingering survivors and descendants of the dead. Some come to understand, others to remember or not remember. Sixty seasons have washed away remains – the iron wreckage and lumps of metal and flesh that had strewn miles away from the blast. A pristine bay-front cenotaph overlays the incidental bone yard, pain paved over in tidy concrete cobblestones dotted with murmuring palms; set against a bleak backdrop of the blackened, broken spines of Pier One. Nearby, active weapon magazines bring a sting of reality. There, a solitary man stands – stone-still against the bay, a wrinkled pardon in his ebony hands. © 2002 Corinne Bailey To read about the Port Chicago tragedy: http://www.usmm.org/portchicago.html and http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/07/05/EB182751.DTL [This message has been edited by Corinne (09-10-2002 10:16 PM).] |
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© Copyright 2002 Corinne - All Rights Reserved | |||
geenabee Member
since 2002-09-10
Posts 59NC--USA |
Corinne... wow this is stupendous. I think there is no better tribute than what you have created. beauty in words, my friend. thanks for sharing this. glad ta read ya geenabee |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
The Great Chicago Fire??? That one was for the history books! I did not know that people still gathered to pay their respects. Thank you for sharing this poem with us. I'll send a prayer across the miles in memory of those who lost their lives and for those who they left behind. God bless you all! Earth Angel |
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Interloper![]() ![]()
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
I love the piece VERY much. I am, however, confused. 1943 was WWII Why the pardon? The USS Chicago was sunk in 1943. Please help me understand ![]() Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. |
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Moonlight Romeo![]() ![]()
since 2001-09-10
Posts 982The heart of you |
Tragedy knows no year, nor no time. Thank you. What light through yon window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Thanks all, for your replies. Please see the links above for information about Port Chicago. Port Chicago was a munitions transfer facility not too far from San Francisco. African Americans were "used" to hand-carry and ferry munitions - ranging from bullets to 2000 lb bombs - onto ships. Most were not trained in the handling of munituions and speed often outweighed caution. On July 17th, 1944 - an explosion (cause: undetermined) destroyed the town of Port Chicago, blew up two ships and killed 320 men near the pier or on the ships, most were African Americans. After the incident, some of the men refused to return to the job, causing a mutany. Many were imprisoned. Only recently, pardons have begun to be issued, but most of the survivors are dead - since they would be around 80 years of age now. Corinne |
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Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Yes, Cor, hon. You tell it true...very well done, but then, very gentle smile..you always did so |
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Mistletoe Angel![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
![]() (tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Corinne, thank you so much for clarifying the history up as I too would have read it wrong, this is very sad and I wouldn't blame everyone for not returning to work after grieving their workmates losses! (big hugggsssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, this is a powerful tribute, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Corinne, thank you for sharing! ![]() May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Corrine...you have a talent for expressing things in the most perfect words that makes me jealous to the core ![]() "a wrinkled pardon in his ebony hands." FABULOUS!!!!!! |
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RMW Senior Member
since 2001-03-21
Posts 1424 |
Well done. |
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