Monday 23 October 2017

Grenfell
















The shell shames,
towering above us
and, by internet and television,
tells the world
how we failed.

Words do nothing,
though they cascade
from every level,
accusing, excusing, 
despairing, demanding,
and always crying.

Always crying.

And yet, from this dark place
a seed is sown; 
a strand of love caught on the wind,
that even prompts survivors,
far and near, to a sort
of thankfulness.

Or, as with our son,
simply to say 
he loved us.

So the darkest tower
can yet bring light, and balm.
And the darkest hour,
while weeping still, 
some comfort, and a kind of calm.


October 2017 – the fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017

in which 68 people lost their lives, and hundreds were injured.







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