Eight year old writer Susie Peoples has cast a child's perspective on the community impact of the Inishowen floods, which now serves as a striking reminder of the fateful night.

The devastating floods of August 22nd affected thousands of people across Donegal in many ways.The physical damage was assessed and counted up, but the emotional impact of the natural disaster was one that families had to deal with in other ways.

Susie Peoples. Image: The WRITE STUFF Kids Club

One gifted local girl expressed her feelings in words which were published online yesterday. Susie Peoples, aged 8, from Muff, is a member of The WRITE STUFF Kids Club. She wrote a poem called The Floods which was entered into the Late Late Toy Show as part of a group application.

 

Unfortunately Susie was not selected for a reading in the final show, but her writing mentor Grainne McCool shared the words online so it can be read by many others.

“This young 8 year old has captured the feelings of the night and the community spirit in the aftermath. It’s so very touching from start to finish,” Grainne said.

The Floods, by Susie Peoples, aged 8.

Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter,
Goes the rain outside.
Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter,
I’m glad that I’m inside.

Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter,
The rain makes a puddle.
Now the lights have gone out,
I am in a muddle.

The lightening lights the sky all round,
The thunder roars,
And the rain still comes down.
I jumped with fright when the thunder boomed,
But we’re high on a hill, so we’re still not doomed.

Now in the morning, the rain is gone.
We see the damage in the light of dawn.
Trees and bridges washed away,
For so many people, it’s such a sad day.

Lots of people helped that day,
Giving a hand in every way.
They have helped to sort it out.
That’s what this poem is all about.

Grainne said: “I love this poem as this young lady has captured the experience she herself had that night. And then she captures the community that we live in, in the aftermath. A community of togetherness. A community that this 8 year old is clearly proud of.”

Poem shared courtesy of The WRITE STUFF Kids Club