A Sixteen Hour Miracle Poem by Shirley Harrison

I guess it all comes back
to Freddy and Queen in 1985
I was a proud member
of the London community
I was only eleven years old

Live-Aid was finally here
I remember riding my beloved roller-skates
around Clapham Common

I couldn't have been more excited
I rolled home from an early morning skate
with what felt like, rockets on my feet

to watch with pride

the concert of a lifetime
I listened to each artist
each performer
each string of the electric guitar
a global jukebox, come to life
the whole world applauding

I was part of history that day
and even though
I no longer live, in my beloved London
and no longer get to listen
to these magnificent artists performing live

I still sit sometimes to reminisce

of that day, that day
when I was young
and had nothing better to do
except to listen
learning through music
learning that we are all equal

millions of people of all race and colour
united, simply joined together
with a wish to help others
no hate no discrimination
just love in our hearts

the day the world was united
the day I witnessed
a sixteen-hour miracle.