Three years ago tonight circa midnight

Everything changed.

Why has it taken three years? They say it was an extraordinary event, which I find hard to believe with so much stuff all over the news. Also, while the police were brilliant, there are other aspects of our national infrastructure pretty much designed to keep you in a whirlpool of shock. I feel keenly for those still trapped. Perhaps I could help, sometime when the riot is truly over. An attack yesterday made it clear to me that I am not past the PTSD yet, but I'm improving. After a weekend with friends and two very loved chums chatting to me this morning, how could I not?

So what changed? I feel that it would be constructive to list them, but can't be bothered, the list is not needed, I know my strengths and weaknesses illuminated by the experience. The change goes beyond all that anyway.

There is a time and a place for Kate Bush and this is definitely it.

http://vimeo.com/31250078

The Middle Distance Star

I am as cold as the middle distance star
dancing above a temple no-one sees
for wire sparked perspex, mega-screens reflect
the phoenix rivers of Singapore city.

My father warned me never to return,
or indignant ghosts of buildings beautiful
would haunt my roads singing ramshackle songs.
So I stay far, the middle distance star.

Take rather an old boat down the Mekong,
far from it all, a place I never knew,
and view ripples of homes that others lost,
never touching me whose very name means exile.

(Ó Gallchóbhair from the Gaelic, meaning ‘Foreign Friend’/'Friend of the Foreigner'/'Son of the Friend of the Foreigner'/Something like that)

©Debbie Gallagher November 25th 2014 Copyright and all rights reserved