I wrote a poem last night after seeing Evan Thomas' father on CBC. The emotions have been raw and finally found voice in my writing. I'm hoping you might be interested in publishing it. I am a teacher librarian and writer in Coquitlam BC and grew up in Saskatchewan, so have been very impacted by the tragedy. It is called We R Humboldt and is for your town, and all who are feeling deep grief at this unimaginable loss.
We R Humboldt
It’s been a long time now
Since I moved away
But once from Saskatchewan always from Saskatchewan
Back then couldn’t wait to get away
Now want to be home
To share in the solidarity of pain
With those whose hearts and bones
You know like the earth.
We R Humboldt.
I didn’t know those boys but I know the roads, the conditions
The dangers and the worries
and know someone who knows someone
whose brother is one of the dead.
Moments before, on the cusp
Of life and all its excitement beckoning
Now shattered, all of Canada trying to
Pick up the shards of jagged memories.
We R Humboldt.
The sport you played, so much more
to your community and all who surround you
where you will live on, each time
there is a game, a practice, a gathering
You won’t be just a photo, a face
but a beacon, a reminder
That life is a slapshot, over in a second
In the grand scale of time.
You played it with strength, with courage,
The pride of your town.
We R Humboldt.
Written after hearing Even Thomas’ father on CBC talk about identifying his son’s body.
