Jo's Poem

'Solace'

May hope rise up to meet you,

As you battle through this time.

For tragedy has found you,

With no reason and no rhyme.

May love and light surround you,

In what ever form you need.

May any tears you cry today,

Be dried by time indeed.

May many come to help you,

To lend a caring hand.

May the hand that's holding yours,

Bring you strength enough to stand.

Perceiving that your soul,

Has just begun to grieve.

May knowing that so many care,

Bring you some reprieve.

And rest the souls of taken lives,

Lost on that tragic day.

Please give to all those left behind,

Some solace this we pray.

All Victorians have been struck with grief.  Even after Black Saturday we were struck with another two 'spike days'.  Inevitably, the Dandenong Ranges, in particular Belgrave, felt the dragon.  It was one of the most terrifying drives of my life from work to Belgrave in order to get Amaya out of the childcare centre before it evacuated.  Warburton and Healesville residents must be exhausted.  They have been on high alert for weeks - evacuating, returning, evacuating, returning.  At Wilson's Prom, hectares of State protected land burnt to the ground.  And the Black Saturday fire still continued to cause trouble.  

And then, on Friday night - an earthquake.  All Victorians are now exhausted.  Whilst we are not arrogant enough to argue and fight against Mother Nature, we do wish for some respite. The poem (above) was written by my dear friend Jo and published in the Southern Health Chief Executive Newsletter.  I am so proud of her because I know she is a lot like me in the sense that we feel everything.  We both tetter on the edge of the rye waiting for Holden Caulfield to save us.  With that said, I thought we could all use some relief.  Thank you Jo.