When the earthquake struck
Trapping him beneath six stories
Of rubble
He saw the walls rippling
And heard
Explosive sounds surrounding
Him.
As things settled slowly
He tried to look around!
He couldn’t see anything, it was
Complete darkness.
He felt God giving him the tools
To survive.
The blood-stained notebook
Wooley used to scrawl messages.
Lost glasses, the iPhone first aid
App taught him to get a bandage
And a tourniquet for his leg.
Wooley was rescued after
More than 60 hours.
It was an accident, don’t be
Upset at God.
He reunited with his family
in Colorado Springs.
Wooley was thankful.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Haiti Found Poem (from a BBC article on survivors) by Ariel Bryant
24-year-old, working in
The grocery store in the Napoli
Inn Hotel when the building collapsed.
24-year-old, trapped for 11 days.
Found in good health.
It took a joint operation by French,
Greek and American rescue teams.
The 24-year-old’s cries for help
Were heard by his family.
The 24-year-old survived by diving
Under a desk when the building
Collapsed around him.
This brave 24-year-old lived on
Diet Coca-Cola and biscuits.
The grocery store in the Napoli
Inn Hotel when the building collapsed.
24-year-old, trapped for 11 days.
Found in good health.
It took a joint operation by French,
Greek and American rescue teams.
The 24-year-old’s cries for help
Were heard by his family.
The 24-year-old survived by diving
Under a desk when the building
Collapsed around him.
This brave 24-year-old lived on
Diet Coca-Cola and biscuits.
Haiti Found Poem (from a New York Times article on the survivors) by SaraBeth Erdman
Stories of survival.
Haiti’s devastating earthquake.
Buried in the rubble,
A natural disaster survived.
Many thousands of people killed.
Pulled, barely aliv,
Dehydrated and covered in dust,
Survived by drinking bathwater.
Calling weakly from the rubble,
Trapped in one of the aftershocks,
Pulled from the rubble,
Trapped in the debris.
Caked in dust,
A broken leg,
Rescued from the rubble
After being trapped for 12 days.
Haiti’s devastating earthquake.
Buried in the rubble,
A natural disaster survived.
Many thousands of people killed.
Pulled, barely aliv,
Dehydrated and covered in dust,
Survived by drinking bathwater.
Calling weakly from the rubble,
Trapped in one of the aftershocks,
Pulled from the rubble,
Trapped in the debris.
Caked in dust,
A broken leg,
Rescued from the rubble
After being trapped for 12 days.
Baby Girl (inspired by a New York Times article) by Tone Judge
Nurse at Port-au-Prince greeted a
Baby with loud applause.
Six days under the rubble of her home.
News agencies report that this
is incredible. No injuries. Dust
had covered her small body from
head to toe. The girl is thought
to be about 18 months, her name
unknown, her family killed in
the quake. 18 month old girl,
tough as a brick house.
Baby with loud applause.
Six days under the rubble of her home.
News agencies report that this
is incredible. No injuries. Dust
had covered her small body from
head to toe. The girl is thought
to be about 18 months, her name
unknown, her family killed in
the quake. 18 month old girl,
tough as a brick house.
Haiti Found Poem (from a New York Times article on survivors) by Eli Plven-Franke
Caught in the collapse of a hotel.
Bured beneath six stories of rubble.
A Haitian man
Saw the walls ripping,
Heard the explosive sounds.
God gave him the tools to survive.
The iPhone first-aid app taught
Him to stop the bleeding.
Not falling asleep.
Rescued after more than 60 hours,
Scrawling notes to his wife and kids.
Reunited with his family.
“Don’t be upset at God.
He will always take care of you.”
Bured beneath six stories of rubble.
A Haitian man
Saw the walls ripping,
Heard the explosive sounds.
God gave him the tools to survive.
The iPhone first-aid app taught
Him to stop the bleeding.
Not falling asleep.
Rescued after more than 60 hours,
Scrawling notes to his wife and kids.
Reunited with his family.
“Don’t be upset at God.
He will always take care of you.”
Found Poem (a text inspired by an article from the New York Times) by Silvio Caroli
On Tuesday 12, January, Wismond Exantus was at work in the ground-floor shop of the four storey Napoli Inn in Port-au-Prince. At 4:53pm, when the magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit, the 24-year-old cashier had the presence of mind to squirrel himself under a desk as the building tumbled down around him.
As he lay in the wreckage of the hotel, a drama unfolded of chaos, screaming and, eventually, helicopters and help. Wedged into a tiny, black cavity, Exantus knew nothing of what was happening outside. He held his mobile phone throughout, but it was not charged, a torment which can only be imagined. With his other hand he groped around for supplies that had been scattered around the shop: crisps, sweets, soft drinks, and beer.
When he wanted to sleep, he took a deep draught of whiskey. The cashier dreamed, among other things, that he was in the middle of the ocean and riding a horse.
By Friday, after Exantus had spent 10 days in his dark tomb, the government declared the end of search-and-rescue operations. By Saturday, scavengers were picking over the wrecked hotel when they heard a faint tapping sound, barely audible, but insistent. The Greek rescuers lacked the heavy equipment necessary to move the debris, so a group of French colleagues, who were at the airport preparing to fly out, were scrambled to the scene with their machines.
Michalska, 36, on her first mission with the team, wore layer of grime and a big smile. She embraced colleagues, some teary-eyed. Staff said Exantus was tired, dehydrated, and had abrasions on his arm, but was otherwise fine. Before slipping into a deep sleep, Exantus said he had been saved by divine deliverance. “Every night I thought about the revelation that I would survive. It was God who was tucking me away in his arms… it gave me strength.”
As he lay in the wreckage of the hotel, a drama unfolded of chaos, screaming and, eventually, helicopters and help. Wedged into a tiny, black cavity, Exantus knew nothing of what was happening outside. He held his mobile phone throughout, but it was not charged, a torment which can only be imagined. With his other hand he groped around for supplies that had been scattered around the shop: crisps, sweets, soft drinks, and beer.
When he wanted to sleep, he took a deep draught of whiskey. The cashier dreamed, among other things, that he was in the middle of the ocean and riding a horse.
By Friday, after Exantus had spent 10 days in his dark tomb, the government declared the end of search-and-rescue operations. By Saturday, scavengers were picking over the wrecked hotel when they heard a faint tapping sound, barely audible, but insistent. The Greek rescuers lacked the heavy equipment necessary to move the debris, so a group of French colleagues, who were at the airport preparing to fly out, were scrambled to the scene with their machines.
Michalska, 36, on her first mission with the team, wore layer of grime and a big smile. She embraced colleagues, some teary-eyed. Staff said Exantus was tired, dehydrated, and had abrasions on his arm, but was otherwise fine. Before slipping into a deep sleep, Exantus said he had been saved by divine deliverance. “Every night I thought about the revelation that I would survive. It was God who was tucking me away in his arms… it gave me strength.”
Haiti Poem (inspired by a New York Times article) by Dominick "Tino" Williams
He had just returned
To his hotel from a day
Of filming when the
Earthquake struck, trapping
Him beneath six stories of
Rubble.
The first aid and
Cpr app treat a compound
Fracture of his leg and a
Cut on his forehead.
When things settled a
Little bit, he tried to look
Around. He couldn’t see
Anything, it was complete
Darkness. He felt God gave
Him some tools to help him survive.
He just saw the walls rippling
And explosive sounds all
Around him.
To his hotel from a day
Of filming when the
Earthquake struck, trapping
Him beneath six stories of
Rubble.
The first aid and
Cpr app treat a compound
Fracture of his leg and a
Cut on his forehead.
When things settled a
Little bit, he tried to look
Around. He couldn’t see
Anything, it was complete
Darkness. He felt God gave
Him some tools to help him survive.
He just saw the walls rippling
And explosive sounds all
Around him.
Haiti Poem (inspired by a New York Times article) by Adalia Joseph
He passed out
Feeling the house
Dancing around him.
A little space.
Emmanuel heard his Mom crying.
I know God wants me
Here. Am I glad I am found?
Feeling the house
Dancing around him.
A little space.
Emmanuel heard his Mom crying.
I know God wants me
Here. Am I glad I am found?
Haiti Poem (inspired by a New York Times article) by Ninimbe Mitchell
I was in a big accident. Don’t be
Upset at God. He always provides
For his children, even in hard times.
I’m stuck, unsure whether I would ever
Be rescued. Trying to write notes to my wife,
Christina, and my two kids in a blood-
Stained black notebook. I’m still praying that
God will get me out, but he may not.
He will always take care of you.
Once trapped under Hotel Montana in the Haiti
Earthquake, I am now at home after being
Reunited with my family in Colorado Springs.
Upset at God. He always provides
For his children, even in hard times.
I’m stuck, unsure whether I would ever
Be rescued. Trying to write notes to my wife,
Christina, and my two kids in a blood-
Stained black notebook. I’m still praying that
God will get me out, but he may not.
He will always take care of you.
Once trapped under Hotel Montana in the Haiti
Earthquake, I am now at home after being
Reunited with my family in Colorado Springs.
Haiti Found Poem (taken from The New York Times) by Elizabeth Buchanan
An old cashier had himself under a desk
As the building tumbled down around him.
He was pulled alive from the rubble
As he lay in chaos and
Wedged into a tiny black cavity.
He held his hand,
Dreamed of the ocean,
Riding and flying.
So I said I’ll go.
I was so happy,
It gave me strength.
As the building tumbled down around him.
He was pulled alive from the rubble
As he lay in chaos and
Wedged into a tiny black cavity.
He held his hand,
Dreamed of the ocean,
Riding and flying.
So I said I’ll go.
I was so happy,
It gave me strength.
Haiti Found Poem (taken from The New York Times) by Lonnie Macbeth
Members of the team pulled away debris from
Where his house had been.
The boy said, “I felt the house dancing around
Me.
I didn’t know if I was up or down.”
He heard his mother crying as he dreamed in
His sleep.
Interviews after the quake
And everyone was shaking.
The boy drank his own urine to keep thirst at bay.
The boy also said, “I am here because God wants it.”
Where his house had been.
The boy said, “I felt the house dancing around
Me.
I didn’t know if I was up or down.”
He heard his mother crying as he dreamed in
His sleep.
Interviews after the quake
And everyone was shaking.
The boy drank his own urine to keep thirst at bay.
The boy also said, “I am here because God wants it.”
Haiti Found Poem (taken from the New York Times) by Ranya Shannon
He was malnourished,
Delirious,
Dehydrated,
But no serious injuries.
Relatives say he vanished,
Few people survived more than three days under rubble.
It was plausible he had been buried since the quake,
Open wounds festering on both of his feet.
“I thought he was dead, but God kept him from dying.”
He was dehydrated,
He was wasted.
He was the last known survivor,
Hailed as a miracle
After being pulled from the rubble
On January 27th.
Delirious,
Dehydrated,
But no serious injuries.
Relatives say he vanished,
Few people survived more than three days under rubble.
It was plausible he had been buried since the quake,
Open wounds festering on both of his feet.
“I thought he was dead, but God kept him from dying.”
He was dehydrated,
He was wasted.
He was the last known survivor,
Hailed as a miracle
After being pulled from the rubble
On January 27th.
Haiti found poem (taken from the New York Times) by Jasper Schep
His relatives approached an
Israeli search team, asking for help.
Debris from where his house had been.
Members of the team, pulling away stones.
They called out.
He responded.
“I felt the house dancing around me.”
He passed out in the rubble.
“I didn’t know if I was up or down.”
In dreams, he heard his mother’s cries.
“I’m here because God wants it.”
Not any food,
He drunk his own urine to keep
Thirst at bay.
Israeli search team, asking for help.
Debris from where his house had been.
Members of the team, pulling away stones.
They called out.
He responded.
“I felt the house dancing around me.”
He passed out in the rubble.
“I didn’t know if I was up or down.”
In dreams, he heard his mother’s cries.
“I’m here because God wants it.”
Not any food,
He drunk his own urine to keep
Thirst at bay.
Haiti Poem (a found poem taken from the New York Times)by Marcus Gould
February days,
A Haitian man under Port-au-Prince.
A 28-year-old who may have been trapped since Haiti’s quake.
Who has been pulled alive from the ruins of a market place?
An earthquake devastated after days.
Astonished relatives would not see an end to dying.
Search-and-rescue efforts as the rubble collapses.
Haiti has been buried since the quake.
A Haitian man under Port-au-Prince.
A 28-year-old who may have been trapped since Haiti’s quake.
Who has been pulled alive from the ruins of a market place?
An earthquake devastated after days.
Astonished relatives would not see an end to dying.
Search-and-rescue efforts as the rubble collapses.
Haiti has been buried since the quake.
Haiti Survivors (a “found” poem from the New York Times)by Joshua Butler
Nurses at Port-au-Prince’s main hospital
Greeted a baby girl with loud applause.
This is incredible. She has no injuries.
The girl is thought to be 18 months old.
Her name, not known.
Family has been killed
In the quake.
The second baby unearthed in Haiti,
Jean-Louis Brahms, 8 months old,
Five days trapped under what used to be
His house.
Baby was close to death when a neighbor
Heard his cries and alerted rescuers and his
Parents, who had given up hope of finding him alive.
Greeted a baby girl with loud applause.
This is incredible. She has no injuries.
The girl is thought to be 18 months old.
Her name, not known.
Family has been killed
In the quake.
The second baby unearthed in Haiti,
Jean-Louis Brahms, 8 months old,
Five days trapped under what used to be
His house.
Baby was close to death when a neighbor
Heard his cries and alerted rescuers and his
Parents, who had given up hope of finding him alive.
Haiti “Found” poems taken from the New York Times by Rahzel Thompson
Darlene Etienne
Darlene Etienne was found
Weakly calling for help.
Darlene was pulled, barely alive,
From near her college in Port-au-Prince.
Rico Dibrivell
Mr. Dibrivell was trapped
In one of the aftershocks.
Rico was initially discovered
Only wearing his underpants.
Rico was trapped for 12 days
Until U.S. troops came to help
Release him.
Darlene Etienne was found
Weakly calling for help.
Darlene was pulled, barely alive,
From near her college in Port-au-Prince.
Rico Dibrivell
Mr. Dibrivell was trapped
In one of the aftershocks.
Rico was initially discovered
Only wearing his underpants.
Rico was trapped for 12 days
Until U.S. troops came to help
Release him.
Haiti Poem by Serafina Parus
Don’t we wish we could help?
Families of 4, now a family of 1.
Children without parents,
Parents without children.
Kids without food and water,
Starvation.
Children mistaken for sticks;
Small, precious, delicate, sad,
Hungry, thirsty.
Our help is not enough.
We can try but we
Can’t solve the problem.
All they need is their family,
A hug, food, water and
Love.
Families of 4, now a family of 1.
Children without parents,
Parents without children.
Kids without food and water,
Starvation.
Children mistaken for sticks;
Small, precious, delicate, sad,
Hungry, thirsty.
Our help is not enough.
We can try but we
Can’t solve the problem.
All they need is their family,
A hug, food, water and
Love.
Haiti Found Poem from Obama’s Newsweek speech by Trevon Sayles
Parents searching through rubble for sons and daughters;
Children, frightened and alone,
looking for their mothers and fathers. We
are working closely with the Haitian
government, the United Nations, and the
many international partners who are also
aiding in this extraordinary effort. At no
time is that more true than in moments
of great peril and human suffering.
Children, frightened and alone,
looking for their mothers and fathers. We
are working closely with the Haitian
government, the United Nations, and the
many international partners who are also
aiding in this extraordinary effort. At no
time is that more true than in moments
of great peril and human suffering.
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