The Earthquake Trilogy. A Mothers Sacrifice. Poem by Res John Burman

In the Land of the Giant Panda,
In the Province of Sichuan,
They were digging in the rubble,
Still hoping to find someone.

They found a Mother stiff and cold,
How long had she been there,
Dying under the wreckage,
Dust and grit in her hair.

They gently turned her over,
Knowing they were too late,
They saw, shielded by her body,
A baby, saved from it's Mothers fate.

A careful Policeman noticed,
The Mother clutching tight,
A cell phone with a text upon it,
The last thing she did write.

'Dear Baby' she had written,
Trapped there in the dark.
'Remember the person who saved you,
And these words you must mark! '

'Make a meaningful life for yourself,
Live so all our neighbours can see,
That you are worthy of my sacrifice,
And an Honourable Son to me! '

(22nd May 2008)