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People Used To Come Here

People used to come here;
they would laugh and play,
run rampid in the streets,
forget about their troubles
and enjoy the day.
People used to come here,
but they're all gone now
the blast took it all away.
Some, it robbed them
of their fragile lives;
others, lost their freedom
to live happy and healthy.
And the children,
the world's future,
dwindled into despair.
They fight with illness
and memories of that day
instead of laughing.
People used to come here,
but they don't anymore.
Now all that's left
of this once active town
is the remnants of what was.

Click to check out this site about Chernobyl!!


Author notes

Username: Aimee Hill
First name [or name you will like to go by that is not your username]: ha ha... Aimee
Age: 30
General poetic style: More freestyle than not. I have leaned more that way, not sure why... some rhyming seems forced.
Why you’re interested in this contest: To be honest? I figured... why not? I'm a stay
at home mother and I have time on my hands. Plus, I figure I could learn
a thing or two.




The first picture inspired me.
I dug deeper into the knowledge of Chernobyl.... I read a WHOLE lot about it
before finally entering this contest. I knew of it, but didn't know all...and still don't. Wow.
Thanks for hosting this contest.

A contest entry

What did you think

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Comments

1 - 13 of 13

  • Griswold silver member
    December 24, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Excellently written, I can see why it garnered a Gold in the prior contest, an excellent audition piece, best of luck...Scott


  • Loki silver member
    December 19, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Aimee!

    You got me. I first noticed the background and was impressed. Secondly I read the poem and could tell you had some knowledge of Chernobyl. Third, I read your author's note and was impressed that you researched the prompt.

    I have studied Chernobyl for years. It is truly a topic that grabs you and demands your attention. If you want to continue your research, I strongly suggest googling "Pripyat" (the city the workers of Chernobyl lived in) and googling "Kid of speed". She is a photo journalists who lives outside the exclusion zone and takes very high quality pictures of Pripyat and the surrounding area. She adds a personal touch by including narratives to her photo tours.
    Also, there are a lot of videos on Google video about Chernobyl.

    Your poem was well written as always and the research you put into the project just gives it that extra flair. Good job and good luck.


    • Aimee Hill
      December 20, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you very much!! I had found "Kid of Speed"...that's where I had first gained more knowledge. I followed links that she left, and found even more places to visit. I had heard about Pripyat and even other outlying towns/cities.. like the Ukraine...etc. It's horrible what that one day has done to all of those places. I am interested in the history of the past. Things that happened...etc. Hiroshima is another one that I look further into. That one was just terrible.

      Thank you for such an awesome comment. Whether I had won or not, I just wanted to say that I took part (in some small way) in getting to know more about Chernobyl and to not forget them.

      Again... Thank you.


  • poeticweaver gold member
    December 1, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    So Sad.

    As is so many truths in this world.
    You penned this good hun, thanks for sharing my friend.
    All the best within the contest!

    Peace, but a dream away.


    • Aimee Hill
      December 1, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Again, thank you Timothy.
      Always good to get comments... let alone
      comments from you!

  • Yvette Champ gold member
    November 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    The children of Chernobyl
    are left with the fallout-factor
    of chemicals causative of carcinogins
    surrounding homes
    schools and playgrounds
    and within the soil
    and within each breath
    is the slow ruthless march
    towards the final exit
    radiating neon-red-unnecessary death




    Indeed let's not forget Chernobyl

    • Aimee Hill
      December 1, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Awesome! Thank you for the comment!!
      I am one, who will not forget.


  • dustookie2
    November 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    We have to learn life is precious

    I do like the title it drew me into your words and the use of repetition just enforced that emotion your lines implanted. As the contest host said 'pick your poison'...I feel the sadness and passion the power of your words are not falling on deaf ears. Good luck in the contest.


    • Aimee Hill
      December 1, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      I wrote the poem before the title. I wasn't sure if that title would be suitable or not.. Still trying to think about it.

      Thank you for your comment, it is greatly appreciated. I read further into the whole Chernobyl "accident"...and wow, is all I can say.


  • ZachP silver member
    November 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Aimee ~

    What a powerful poem about this tragedy. Sometimes, it is a very large price that we pay, in the name of technological advancement. Being an Avid fan of "The Simpsons", I am very unnerved by the prospect of living anywhere near a nuclear power plant. I pray often that something like this does not happen again.

    One tragedy is enough, I think. Thank you for sharing this, and I wish you the best of luck in the contest.

    In His Love,
    Zach


    • Aimee Hill
      December 1, 2008
      Edit | Reply

      Agreed

      I think we've had more than enough tragedies to last a lifetime and then some. I would be like yourself.... wouldn't want to live within any stretch of miles by a nuclear power plant. No thank you.

      Thank you for commenting, I always appreciate them

  • Bob Fox
    November 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    My

    I have to say I am delighted about your knowledge of such a horrible event. And yes people used to go there.


    • Aimee Hill
      December 1, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      I knew about it, however... I read more into it yesterday am. I was intriqued, to say the less. Thank you for commenting, Bob!

1 - 13 of 13