One Stone Marker Of Ancient Legend Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

in the coastal city of Kesennuma
one stone marker of ancient legend
warned of tsunami danger fables

'Always be prepared for unexpected tsunamis.
Choose life over your possessions and valuables.'
generations believe not unseen with own eyes

Tetsuko Takahashi seventy safe in her family
hillside house watched from her front
window fate of neighbours who had ignored

carved in stone tsunami wave warnings
Tetsuko Takahashi saw a ship swept
like a lost toy a half-mile helpless inland

crushing in path buildings family homes
her family lived in Kesennuma for generations
devastation now seen her legend eyes record

those people that experienced previous most
powerful tsunami countless years ago died
stone tsunami marker silently whisper warns


Copyright © Terence George Craddock
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