Phoenix of Grenfell

Cherry

By well-wisher

Sun, 29 Apr 2018
  • 2169 reads
10 comments
 
Phoenix of Grenfell;
people arise;
tear down the sinful
system of lies
that puts saving money
before saving lives.
Together, as one, we
can win if we strive.
 
Together as one, we
this system, can end
so never will one be
its victim again.
A better one we'll build
where no lives are lost;
that keeps putting people
before cutting costs.
 
Together, a new one
we'll build from the ash
where every human
is worth more than cash;
where all lives are sacred,
whether rich or poor.
Together we'll make it,
then our phoenix will soar.
Certificate U
Poem
Poems
Spiritual
Opinion

Comments

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

If only...

Submitted by well-wisher on

Thanks for the Cherries. 

Ideally, I'd like a monument to be built in the place of Grenfell Tower with words on it telling people the root cause of the tragedy; a system and culture which does not value the lives of poor people.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Submitted by Di_Hard on

 There should be a proper, respectful  statue near parliament as a reminder, shouldn't there? With all the names and ages

it's a beautiful poem. It would go well on a memorial

 

Submitted by well-wisher on

No, I think a monument like that would make the Grenfell tower tragedy look like an accident in which no one was to blame but it wasn't a simple accident, it was the consequence of deregulation and cost cutting by those who think safety is a priviledge of the wealthy.

 

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Submitted by Di_Hard on

you are right. That does happen with war memorials. I had not thought it through.

I would worry about a harsh memorial only - I don't know because have not lost anyone in such circumstances, but feel that anger should not consume remembrance, for then the person you are mourning is lost? Cash before everything seems to be the foundation which will cause Society to fail. I doubt it is possible to make a stronger memorial of this the physical ruin of Grenfell. While it would be better for society as a whole to remember the flaw in Conservatism that caused it am not sure that's best for those who  mourn people who died there. But it's not my specific grief - my anger is second hand. Don't look back in anger - look forward in determination

 

Submitted by well-wisher on

Yes but theres also the point, as George Santayana said, that "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it". If the cause of the tragedy is forgotten won't it keep happening again and don't we have a duty to those in the future to ensure that it doesn't happen again?

Also if deaths are caused by a crime of racial hatred, would anyone think it "looking back in anger" to have a monument condemning racism? If not then why is it "looking back in anger" to have a monument condemning the equally hateful ideology that contributed to the deaths of 71 people in the Grenfell Tower fire?

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Submitted by Di_Hard on

You are right, that is the point of history, of remembering, so that you don't make the same mistake.

I am not sure I am articulate enough to explain or this is a valid argument even :

A monument is a fixed thing. It doesn't move forward, doesn't adapt. It can be a record. But in a short space of time the style will be dated.  It is one step away from history. A great piece of art might always be moving because it touches some universal sense in us but even then the specific historical inspiration for it will be forgotten. Art  becomes part of the history of art. The emotional shock of things that were a part of people's lives endures. I don't see how there can be a stronger memorial than the remains of Grenfell.

 

Submitted by well-wisher on

You say "Art becomes part of the history of art. The emotional shock of things that were a part of peoples lives endures". 

I would argue the opposite. I think people are quite capable of seeing ruins and historical artifacts and being unmoved by them because they see them as part of a distant, bygone age; an alien world.

Art, on the other hand, because it has the ability, through tricks and devices, to move us emmotionally, doesn't lose the ability to shock us or make us weep. Compare for example children going through a tour of a Holocaust museum with Children watching a movie drama (like Schindler's List) about the holocaust (with music and visuals and actors to bring history to life). I think the movie will have a greater emmotional effect on them than simply seeing the artifacts in the museum.

Art is designed to stimulate emmotion; it does all the work for us but historical artifacts rely upon us to use our imagination and empathy; rely upon us to do all the work.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Submitted by Di_Hard on

That's true. I had forgotten about films and books.

I'm sorry. I'm not there and don't know what I'm talking about. The people who have lost family and friends should decide

 

Submitted by well-wisher on

Yes, I agree. It was just a suggestion.

Anyway, the community are speaking for themselves -  https://justice4grenfell.org/

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn