Kia Kaha Christchurch – Our Hearts Go Out to You

  •   Mon, Mar 18 2019
  •   By Anita Britto, Auckland

March 18, 2019

Kia Kaha Christchurch – Our Hearts Go Out to You

Kia Kaha Christchurch – Our hearts go out to you
United we will stand strong – through this crisis we’ll pull through
Proud to be a Kiwi – On our darkest day
We’ll rise and heal together and hold hands while we pray

Christchurch we are with you – with our siblings who have died
This tragedy has shocked us but we are unified
A coward killed our brothers and our sisters while they prayed
And there’s feelings of sheer helplessness but we are not afraid

We condemn these acts of terror and reach out to Hagley Park
With Endurance and Compassion we will come out of the dark
While there’s disbelief and anguish and a lot of pain
Our spirit will not falter despite an act insane

“Beware the ides of March” they warned when Caesar reigned in Rome
The hallowed land in Hagley Park became a funeral home
15th of March in Kiwi Land was tragic and heart breaking
That we never will forget this day – there is no mistaking

Christchurch – you were rattled when an earthquake struck you down
You were rocked but you proved that “Rose” was a verb not noun
6.3 on the Richter scale – And yet you didn’t submit
You stood firm like Gibraltar – with fortitude and grit

I know we have our fault lines but I know we do not lack
Empathy and Caring – Our Crusaders will bounce back
We’ll guard Pacific’s Triple Star – led by our own Jacinda
Change policy on gun laws – And we’ll do it with Ahimsa

Like a Phoenix from the Ashes – All of us will rise
For hateful crimes of violence – we wholeheartedly despise
While many can pontificate they cannot walk the talk
Like this tiny nation Down Under who shepherds all her flock

In this mosaic of cultures we’ll live in harmony
Be it Puja - or Namaz - or the Rosary
The Church, the Mosque and Temple teach and preach the same
That Hate and Pride are sinful and are vices we should tame

When I chose to immigrate in 1997
The land of the long white cloud sounded just like heaven
Men of every creed and race live the Kiwi dream
God’s own – this has to be – Where Kindness reigns supreme

From our Northern Cape Reinga to the tip of Invercargill
Humanity is in our genes – our only choice is goodwill
Christian, Sikh or Hindu, Non-religious or Muslim
Bloodshed is not our answer – it’s never terrorism

In this hour of chaos led by Our Ardern
In solidarity we stand - We are the Silver Fern
With fearlessness and courage, lead us on she will
Our lady in the Beehive is resilient, strong and still

 

Anita Britto Archives:
By Anita Britto, Auckland
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Comment on this article

  • Edith Rego, Mangalore/NZ

    Tue, Mar 26 2019

    Very well written as always. Good wishes from us

  • Gerard Mathew Myers, Auckland NZ

    Thu, Mar 21 2019

    That is brilliant

  • Riona Saldanha, Auckland, New Zealand

    Wed, Mar 20 2019

    Beautiful words straight from the heart, apt and truly meaningful, represents the sentiments of every kiwi. Our hearts are crying with Christchurch. Thank you Anita for this masterpiece. You are truly blessed with talent.

  • Jules, Brisbane

    Wed, Mar 20 2019

    Anita, so well written as always. Good job!

  • Richard Lewis, Udyavar/Bangalore

    Tue, Mar 19 2019

    Good job Anita, very meaningful tribute. God bless you.

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Tue, Mar 19 2019

    God Bless Anita.

  • john Monteiro, Bondel Mangaluru

    Tue, Mar 19 2019

    I endorse all the nice and relevant things said and wish power to her pen.

  • Suzanne Felix, Jakarta Indoneia

    Tue, Mar 19 2019

    Shocked and saddened by the happenings in Kiwi Land epitomised once for its peace n serenity. Such elements that destroy the tranquillity of human existence need to be nipped in the bud. I stand by all of you in these moments of deep grief n anguish We must stand in solidarity for the religion that reigns supreme above all. The religion of Humanity the religion of Brotherhood.
    Your sentiments have been beautifully expressed in the verses
    Kia Kia kaha Christ church

  • Felicity, Chrsitchurch

    Tue, Mar 19 2019

    Anita this is so beautiful and expresses strength and hope in a real way. I will certainly share this with my colleagues and friends in Christchurch

  • Roshan, Bahrain/Mangalore

    Mon, Mar 18 2019

    A beautiful tribute in support of the fallen brethren in a peaceful country that hardly ever has such incidents. Inspiring poetry.

  • Pam, Mumbai

    Mon, Mar 18 2019

    Beautiful sentiments. Well expressed Anita. You always write from your heart.

  • Joe Britto, Nakre/Bangalore

    Mon, Mar 18 2019

    As usual so well written .

    Hope it reaches every eye and every ear that matters !!!

  • Margarita Saldanha, London,UKm

    Mon, Mar 18 2019

    Wonderfully expressed as always, you echo our sentiments, but in better verse.
    and rhyme.
    God bless
    Margarita Saldanha


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