Tragedy Poem

When a tragedy occurs
We must face our reaction
To process our loss and fear
With a plausible explanation

To understand the how
To exist with the why
To find a new normal
When we have to say goodbye

To make a new commitment
To justify the pain
To be of good grace
To honour every name

For in our humbling sorrow
Humanity’s fire is lit
To truly be a conqueror
We can choose to do our bit

Every little change
Every little practice
Every little kindness
Can restore a little justice

As our tears fall
As our hearts ache
We look to the light
And the eternity of fate

On Sunday 14 December 2025, several people lost their lives or were injured when two people fired guns at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia during a Jewish celebration called Hanukkah.

Most importantly, I would like to offer my sincerest prayers of healing and light to anyone affected by this tragedy either directly on location, by association, by media coverage or by general conversation.

I am certain that we have all faced various forms of tragedy during our lifetimes. On 6 December 2025, I watched the 2023 film ‘A Good Person’ on SBS on Demand. The main character had ‘Amor Fati’ tattooed on his wrist to remind him to ‘love his fate’ despite the tragedy that had occurred in his life.

I have spent quite a bit of time since watching this movie contemplating the idea of loving our fate. It isn’t easy to love what has hurt us or what we feel we may never recover from.

Some tragedies affect us for a very long time and I can think of some difficulties in my life that have dramatically shaped what I could or could not do ever since, long after the original tragedy occurred.

Today, as I have listened to media coverage on the radio and television and seen stories online, I have tried to comprehend yesterday’s tragedy and look for any hope from this incident.

I have heard several people talk about ‘light’ and as a small observance, to consider lighting a candle in our home’s front window at 6:47pm tonight. Here is my candle…

Ultimately, every one of us who feels some sense of tragedy, either now or in the future, will need to find our own way forward. My sincerest wish is that this poem may provide just a little light in the darkness you may feel now. With love, Sue Ellson 🙂

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Photo in the poem is of the candle that was lit during my second book launch on 24 May 2016.