Jim Hughes, a resident of the south coast of New South Wales, lost his home on New Year’s Eve to a bushfire.
He recorded this devasting event from a distance.
Now he has written, and recorded, a poem, I just want to go home, which has become part of a NSW Rural Fire Service campaign, by Wunderman Thompson.
The campaign, Fire Lessons, is the first NSW government bushfire campaign to go live since the devastating 2019/2020 summer fires, the worst season for NSW in living memory. Twenty-six lives were lost, more than 2000 homes destroyed.
Jim Hughes is the lead.
"When the fire came up ... it was like a hand raised out in the fingers, just took those houses," he says, pointing up the street.
"Left that side of the street and took our side of the street and took the two houses of the bottom.
"I wasn't prepared enough looking back.
"The sound that it made coming up through that gully ... like a bomb going off."
Here he is reciting his work:
The words to the full version of the poem
I just want to go Home
by Jim Hughes
It’s in that first instant
When I wake from my disjointed sleep
Wondering where the hell I am
It just gives me the bloody creeps
Then it dawns on me which place I’m in
That my home is now gone
That feeling of despair
It’s truly sad and forlorn
So it’s the first part of each day
That I find the hardest
But I need to be strong for myself and my girl
I’m absolutely trying my darndest
There’s now so many out there
Who are struggling in their grief
The fire has gone but it’s not over
For many, there is no relief
There is no quick fix
It’s been traumatic and there’s plenty of fears
The whole community has been great
Everyone understands the shedding of tears
Like me some will rebuild
Others are done, they won’t go back
Either decision we all make
No one should cop any flack
I still see plenty of my mates
I understand just how you feel
There is no emotion that is wrong
The pain in their eyes and voice are very real
So proud Aussie blokes
Tough as nails that have stood tall
But each day is a test
We might stumble but we can’t and won’t fall
This crazy surreal summer
Most would probably like to forget
But the changes I have been feeling
I would disregard it to my regret
I believe I’ve changed a lot
In these two months since the fire
Life is way too short
To be wallowing in a self pitying mire
Don’t get me wrong
There’s days I’m not so upbeat
The highs and lows of emotions
Are all consuming and complete
It’s my birthday tomorrow
I look forward to it with glee
My Raeden and my birthday twin niece Rachel
Want to do something just for me
To especially my parents and family
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned my mates
The support through this and the future
So many superlatives, to me you’re all bloody great
To all those like me
I share the burden of your pain
Some may never get over it
Others will just put up with the strain
If I could just have one more night
In my comfy old bed
Get a beer out of my old fridge
Or wake my daughter sleeping with her favourite ted
To be surrounded again
By my life’s little achievements
Photos, souvenirs, trophies and such
It might relieve some of the bereavement
Good old Millsy said it best
And I know he’s not alone
All of us displaced people have one wish
‘I just want to go home’
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