At 8:46am on 28th February 1975 a horrific accident occurred at Moorgate Station in London when a tube crashed through a tunnel and hit a brick wall killing 43 people and injuring over 70. I hadn’t known anything about this terrible occurrence - I wasn’t born until 1981 - until I read a newspaper article about it on the 45th anniversary it really affected me. I wanted to learn more so over the last 5 years I have read books and watched documentaries and my research inspired me to write a poem on the 50th anniversary of the tragedy. It is my tribute to those poor people who left for work that morning and didn’t go home that night.
One day I came across something
whilst scrolling through my phone,
a tragic tale I’d never heard of
and wondered if I was alone.
I asked my parents if they could
recall hearing news reports,
racking their brains they shared
their collective bygone thoughts.
I began to search the internet
to understand more about the fate,
of 43 passengers who did not alight
that morning at Moorgate.
I felt shaken, sad and shocked
at the events of February ‘75,
it effected me profoundly
despite occurring before I was alive.
My heart immediately went out to
the loved ones of those who died,
thinking about their pain and grief
I sat quietly and cried.
Then my thoughts turned to
the 100’s of brave souls,
who worked tirelessly to bring light
to the blackest of all holes.
The many who toiled in hell
sustaining bruises, cuts and scrapes,
proved to the UK & the world
that not all heroes do wear capes.
Those whose lives were ended
on that awful Winter’s day,
should be remembered always
and this poem is my own way.
I wanted to pay my respects
to the families of the lost,
who for 50 years have counted
an immeasurable cost.
I also wish to pay tribute to the
women and the men,
who on that day saw horrors
I hope they never see again.
