Photograph: Meltem Arıkan
Abigail Ralph
“Abigail is a hardworking and compassionate student that aims to bring awareness of health inequities in marginalized populations through advocacy. She is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto studying both Neuroscience and Health Policy. She has career aspirations of pursuing a medical degree and conducting research on various neurological pathologies. With an interest in global affairs, Abigail is passionate about human rights issues and violations. Abigail enjoys adventurous hobbies that include playing sports and traveling.”
Soufrière St. Vincent Volcanic Eruption
Displaced and Forgotten
Today was supposed to be one of the biggest days of my life. I have been training for the national semi-final football match since I was a little child. The field, accompanied by the warm Caribbean breeze was the only place I felt alive; It was my home.
My dad helped me pack the cooler the night before the match, he filled it with my favorite sports drinks. My mom, dad, and brother all prepped their #27 jerseys and blue face paint for the game; they have always been my biggest supporters.
I am Marcia — an 18-year-old elite football player from St. Vincent and Grenada. On the field, I can handle anything you throw at me, but my biggest opponent was not another teenage girl, It was you.
You have been quiet for 42 years and have decided to pay me a visit today; how kind of you. Little did I know, you were waiting for the perfect time to strike once again.
Destruction is your signature; pain is your fuel you. You carry the furry of thousands of fallen people, but I promise you – you are mad at the wrong people.
You are not competent enough to comprehend your actions, so you destroy everything in your path. We are left to deal with the repercussions or die, whichever comes first.
The game starts at 5 pm. My parents and I leave at 3 pm while my brother trails behind. ‘I’ll see you on the field, he says” this was the last thing I heard him say before you showed up. I get in the car and we drive away, “See you” I said.
About 30 minutes later, a loud explosion shakes the car and throws me through the windshield. My parents are both knocked unconscious. The cars on the highway all stop moving as darkness fills the once bright sky.
You have arrived. Indeed, a grand entrance as you desire to be seen.
“What was that?” I thought as I lay on the ground. Blood drips down my face and I notice a large purple bruise on my leg. I immediately think of my brother and call him, but my phone has no service.
No, no no nono, “How will I play today? Where is my brother? This cannot be happening, I reassured myself.” The lies comforted me at that moment.
Thick black smoke fills the sky and I begin to choke. My mom and dad look lifeless. Sirens begin to echo throughout the island as a thick blanket of ash covers the ground.
“MOM! DAD! You have to get up”, I yelled. I look over at the other cars to see horrific accidents. A mother screams as her newborn child’s body is covered in blood.
I hear helicopters, but I can’t see where they’re coming from. I lay down beside my parents as the smoke begins to enter my lungs. I passed out.
All I remember was waking up at this strange, overcrowded shelter. My parents were given medical attention for their injuries. My mom had a concussion while my dad broke his ribcage.
The workers at the shelter told us what had happened – thousands of people have been displaced, killed, and even calcified because of you.
“What does it mean to be displayed from the only place I feel at home?” I thought. “I belong nowhere else.” Suddenly, winning the semi-final match was the least of my worries.
I count the stars as I fall asleep in my mother’s lap at the shelter. I hear my dad’s cries as he worries for my brother.
I wish he would have just come in the car with us. The power, electricity and running water supply have been cut. I don’t know how much longer this will last.
Three boats arrived later that night to take us to St. Lucia. My mother cries as she realizes that we must leave my brother here alone. The worker assures us that emergency crews are actively looking for him.
“You did your job, I hope it was worth it”, I exclaim. I hear the low rumbles of your voice as I leave the island.
It was then I knew that you were not finished and craved vengeance.