A Peculiarly Cantabrian Christmas (The Christchurch Nz Earthquakes) Poem by Gene Richards

(Written vicariously from the North Island (with some inspiration from CC Moore and AJ Patterson))

'Twas two days before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a thing was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung though chimney not there
In the hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there

Then all of the sudden just out to sea
There was a rumbling noise, what could it be?
We all knew at once, just what is was
Another bloody 'quake, let's head for the doors!

The ground under our feet started to heave
And everyone was thinking now, this town we must leave
The Earth spewed up from under the sand
And spread it's foulness all over the land

It was all over as soon as it started
and the cracks in our houses increasingly parted
Then a little bit later about a quarter to four
Mother nature dished up just a little bit more

Our nerves are frazzled, our spirit down the sink
It's quite enough to drive a person to drink
Yet our pluck is still undaunted, our courage strong and sure
This will not break us, never yet was a Cantabrian a cur.

So we will carry on with Christmas, whatever Earth sends
We'll celebrate as usual, with family and friends
And as we think of the people from across Cook Straits
We will feel special wishes from three million good mates