Remembering the tsunami #poem

Ten years since the tsunami
broke upon Japan
tearing apart families
not all saved, who ran:

on this day a tear
for his daughter ten years gone
wishing she was here.

© Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved

This morning I read about the ten-year anniversary of the tsunami which hit Japan costing 18,500 lives and triggering a nuclear meltdown at Fukushima. In particular, I was moved by the heartbreaking story of one man who lost his daughter because her school was not evacuated in time.

Grace is hosting at dVerse tonight and has asked us to write a Seguidilla. As it is syllabic, even though it was invented in Spain, I thought of haiku and of Japan. This is how I arrived at the above poem.

Image by Gudrun Becker from Pixabay

52 thoughts on “Remembering the tsunami #poem

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  1. Yes, so touching to read this story. Can’t believe its been 10 years. Thank you for putting this in poetic form of sequidilla.

  2. A heartwrenching catastrophe told so eloquently, Ingrid! I can’t believe so much time has passed! You have put it in the Seguidilla form so well! 💝💝 Let us observe a moment of silence for the ones taken by tsunami.

  3. No doubt this anniversary marks the grief of many who lost loved ones then. Good write.

  4. what a beautiful poem showing tribute to this poor man’s loss and to all the families in Japan!
    Great job and love it as it reminds me of a long ( 2 paragraph Haiku) which I think I could handle.
    xo💖

  5. This is sad and beautiful Ingrid!

    I got a bit surprised this morning reading it was already a decade ago. I remember so clearly when it happened and how much it brought back memories of fearing nuclear disaster after the Chernobyl catastrophe happened. That one hit close to home in the Nordics, and I think they can still measure the isotopes of it in the most northern parts.

  6. This is sad and beautiful Ingrid!

    I got a bit surprised this morning reading it was already a decade ago. I remember so clearly when it happened and how much it brought back memories of fearing nuclear disaster after the Chernobyl catastrophe happened. That one hit close to home in the Nordics, and I think they can still measure the isotopes of it in the most northern parts.

    1. I remember Chernobyl too, they were worried about particles of radiation falling in the rain over my region (which gets a lot of rain). My mum made me wear a plastic bag when we went cycling!

  7. Ten years! Unbelievable. Such sadness and trauma for those impacted by that heartbreaking day. Your thoughtful poem reminds us that for many, the heartbreak and loss felt ten years ago, still exists today. 💔

  8. I also thought of haiku when I saw the syllable count for the sequidilla, Ingrid, and like the haiku, this form also captures a moment. I like the way your poignant sequidilla inhabits both past and present through the man’s grief.

  9. Cannot imagine a deeper pain for the gentleman who lost his school age daughter …. your poem is a fitting tribute to him all who lost loved ones. Brava.

  10. that story touched me too … I have no idea of the tsunami as I was in closed retreat. I was asked to do prayers for many people and countries but I could not imagine the devastation. Now covid wreaks many lives just in another way …

    Think you nailed the format Ingrid, I like your version!

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