Posted: 07/04/22

Sunrise 9 March - Claire Raines

My eyes take a while to adjust to take in the feast before them when I first arrive in the shelter.  I’ve become so accustomed to the feeling of having so much to see and do in so little time, that I have to remind myself that I have an hour.  Of nothing.  Nothing but this view to absorb.  I look out to the less familiar eastern side of the city, waiting.  The sky is already giving a tantalising hint of what’s to come, with its pink glow.  And then, the very early signs of a red curve.  Here she comes.  As the ferry enters the port behind her I watch her slide gracefully into the view.  She is regal, gentle yet vibrant and alive with colour.  She’s here to start the day, my day, my 40th birthday, my vigil.  As she changes the colour of the sky around her, so the shelter changes.  I become aware of the glow around me and settle to see the sights.  The call of the gulls is far louder than the hum of what traffic is around.  The wind blows.  I see things which are familiar and those which are not.  With each glance something new comes into focus.  It’s like experiencing the city for the first time again.  As I cast my eyes across the view to the west, I catch sight of the flag of another nation, one which I would not have been familiar with a matter of weeks ago.  It reminds me that not everyone is so fortunate to experience such peace and happiness at the start of a new day.  I was already immensely grateful for this experience but now the privilege feels even greater.  Thank you Hull, and the Vigil team, for this unbelievable experience.