Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Ethel Irene Kabwato

AFTER THE TERROR

AFTER THE TERROR

AFTER THE TERROR

Light a candle for her
Wherever you are
Lay down your wreath
On the stone cold pavement
When the sun has faded
And you can no longer see
Her smiling face
In the hallway
And on the street where
You live;
Turn down the lights
Light a torch
And show them
The way to Utoya.
We will meet her there
This summer
In the deep blue waters,
A reminder of the fullness
Of her youthful life;
Memories of her presence
Drawing us closer
To the life she lived . . .
When roses float
On the water;
We will sing with you, Norway
Across the miles
And whisper a prayer
In our own language
For the people
We will someday, somewhere,
meet in spirit.
Close

AFTER THE TERROR

Light a candle for her
Wherever you are
Lay down your wreath
On the stone cold pavement
When the sun has faded
And you can no longer see
Her smiling face
In the hallway
And on the street where
You live;
Turn down the lights
Light a torch
And show them
The way to Utoya.
We will meet her there
This summer
In the deep blue waters,
A reminder of the fullness
Of her youthful life;
Memories of her presence
Drawing us closer
To the life she lived . . .
When roses float
On the water;
We will sing with you, Norway
Across the miles
And whisper a prayer
In our own language
For the people
We will someday, somewhere,
meet in spirit.

AFTER THE TERROR

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère