Identity

This is one of eight reflections from student UNESCO Ambassadors at Lyng Hall who were invited to the Cities of Remembrance symposium in Ypres and Dunkirk which took place from 20-27 May. An earlier blog describes the background in more detail and points to seven other reflections from the visit. This reflection covers the theme of identity and Eden writes:

After the trip I thought about how it would start changing the way I view what’s happening in the world and how it affected me as a person. Using these different thoughts I created a poem of my reflections over the trip.

Identity

Starting off this journey

My mind was full of worry

Making sure I was prepared fully

Ending off the day with happily

Around this city we were moving

New things we were learning

Discovering what history’s becoming

Now is the time to be remembering

Meeting the people there

Hearing the stories from everywhere

Part of me I had to share

Each thing said with care

Performing the piece

Creating inner peace

Letting past hatred cease

Letting my story take seize

Paying our respects

Throughout differed aspects

Despite what we see is just specks

Each piece has affects

Cycling around these sites

Learning about these fights

That my family have had sights

Seeing the end of many nights

Walking around this place

Coming up with each new case

To continue on this journeyed chase

Honouring each point with grace

From this place we are leaving

The messages we are heaving

To our home we are returning

Having learnt to share their yearning

Asking about family photographs leads into stories of identity and belonging