There’s barely anything left.
An ornate shell, empty and yet full. Brimming over with emotion - the tears of a city and so much more.
It stands juxtaposed against the modern beauty of the new. Poignant and fragile, a monument to loss, a reminder of past destruction, and a marker for future hopes.
In some ways it feels wrong to mourn the loss of bricks and stone when so many souls perished, but it is sad. It makes me sad. Yet if it was still whole, would I feel such emotion, such quiet calm and humble awareness?
What it is now, though physically less, is somehow more than what it was.
And it is still becoming.
(I visited Coventry with a friend this weekend. There was so little left of the Medieval city it once was, yet there was still so much to see and I know I will go back with Miss E and Miss M. It’s not just that I want them to see what war can do to a cityscape and its people, but I also want them to see the amazing things the people of Coventary are still doing for peace and reconciliation. I had no idea. I hadn’t even heard of the Community of the Cross of Nails. Now I will never forget it.)
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October 26th, 2010 at 1:17 am
there are way too many cities like this around Europe on both sides
October 26th, 2010 at 11:48 am
There are aren’t there Arjan. I loved how positive the site is and the reconciliation project. That’s just what it’s saying – the whole world went through this and there are still people going through it now.
October 26th, 2010 at 2:31 am
A poignant reminder indeed.
x
October 26th, 2010 at 11:49 am
It was so sad but so beautiful Ellie. It made me go all emotional and really surprised me.
October 26th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
I used to work in Coventry Jo and the people are indeed very proud of what they have achieved and what they weathered.
Some amazing amazing stories come out of the Blitz
October 26th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
They do don’t they lovely? We actually passed the Coventry Telegraph Offices and I thought of you. My friend was born there and he was so happy with all the change that are happening to open up the sights and showcase what survived, as well as all the amazing work that is done for peace there.
October 26th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
When i was in my teens I was a competitive swimmer – and as a midlander I spent many a weekend in Coventry (due to their 50 meter, Olympic sized pool).
The cathedral ruins are a stones throw from the pool and I used to beg my mum to take me there for a wander round between my races. She soon tired of my demands and I spent many hours sitting in the grounds of the ruins.
What happened in Coventry on that one night in 1940 was shocking – the whole city was ablaze. Can you imagine how frightening that would be?
If you get a chance – do visit. xx
October 26th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Sian it’s funny, the only other time I’ve been there was as a swimmer in a gala at that same pool.
There’s a 1940s weekend coming soon in Coventry and if I can I’ll be taking my girls there. That night must have been unbelievably horrific. The Herbert Art Gallery is well worth a visit as an insight into this. Some of the quotes from the people who lived through that night are so stark and sad, and so important.
October 27th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Very moving. Always upsets me to think of the suffering that happened in places like that
October 27th, 2010 at 10:25 am
That’s it completely Princess L. Generations can so easily forget just by being removed by time. It’s good places like this exist where the focus is to remember and to change things for the better.
October 28th, 2010 at 11:38 am
What a lovely place—even in ruin it is beautiful. And although I have read and watched films about that time and those horrible events, I don’t think anyone who did not live it will every truly understand.
October 29th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
It is very beautiful Susan. Its the most peaceful place. People wander around it quietly and calmly, there is very little talking. It’s amazing.