“A plague upon this howling!”

With apologies and credit to Will, Tim, I lift a few lines from his play to make a few points about the still-vex’d Bermoothes. Vex’d? Then maybe, Mr. Editor, but not so much now. Thankfully.

“I do now let loose my opinion: hold it no longer: this is no fish but an islander, that hath lately suffered by a thunderbolt.” [Trinculo]

Well maybe not a thunderbolt. For all I know, there may have been some of them. But for me, as it was for many, hunkered down in our homes, it was mostly that wind, howling, driving and unnerving. All of those things and more; and if it is an ill wind that blows no good then two back to back must blow a lot of good. I guess that depends on your definition of good, huh?

What was clear right from the start, is that Fay and Gonzalo also generated a lot of goodwill, goodwill to each other stemming from shared predicaments. Bermudians, along with those who inhabit the isles, proved how very quickly and effectively we can come together and work for the common good; excluding of course those mean-spirited souls who seized an opportunity to break in and pirate Flatts Menswear. Shame on them.

“Our hint of woe is common …. /but for the miracle,/ I mean our preservation, few in millions/ Can speak like us.” [ Gonzalo himself!]

We did more than just survive. We endured and rebounded like nobody’s business but ours. My TV was down but I expect our recovery by Monday must have looked impressive to those looking in on their screens from abroad. I give credit and thanks where credit and thanks are due: the EMO, Regiment, Police W & E, Parks, Fire and Rescue and Belco, to name but a few of the key service organisations that worked tirelessly and selflessly to get us back on our feet again — and quickly. Not to mention the huge host of volunteers, neighbours, who took up the cause and lent a hand along with chainsaw.

“All torment, trouble, wonder and amazement/ Inhabits here.” [ Gonzalo again!!]

Quite so. But the impressive rebound aside, there were still some lessons learned for the next time around. For many of us, they are on a personal level: more storm shutters, plywood, sandbags and/or tape, as well as a new Plan B when Plan A looks like it won’t work. On the national level? Well, none of us, want to appear churlish, ungrateful or unkind — we did all make it through safely — yet our respective experiences are bound to give rise to suggestions and constructive criticisms on how we might do better the next time around.

“Even now … did’t not wake you?/ It struck mine ear most terribly.” [Sebastian to Gonzalo]

No, I am making no reference to the Emergency broadcast station. In fact, there were times when I couldn’t even hear it (which I understand was the experience of others) and when I could hear I got more than enough tips on the need to boil water. This is one area that ought to be the subject of close and critical review, all with an eye, a calm eye, to improvement. It is supposed o be our one sure source of information — and comfort. The information it is meant to provide, and should provide, is crucial for those of us for whom it was the only link to the outside world.

“There, sir, stop;/Let us not burden our remembrances with/ A heaviness that’s gone.” [Prospero]

Of course, there is little room for politics and politicking when it comes to storms and hurricanes. They are serious business. Very serious. Pre-storm preparation and the subsequent execution of plans demands militarylike precision. You know that. I know that. We all know that. So we saw little politics. I expect those who were once in charge understood that too; only too well. That’s one of the better by-products of a parliamentary democracy. You know and remember what it is like to be in Government and in Opposition; and the opportunity for change and change itself can be beneficial.

Given their respective experiences, you might think there should be parliamentary representation from both sides in the post-mortem which is sure to follow. It is the one recommendation I have: and let’s make it formal, something which will occur no matter which party is in power or not. It’s a small step but not insignificant in the larger scheme of things.

If we work best when we work together now’s the chance to build on the goodwill and make possible the opportunity to collaborate, meaningfully, and usefully, to the benefit of all.

“Dost thou hear? “Your tale sir, would cure deafness.” [Prospero and Miranda]

Well not deafness, but it might help that which ails us politically.

The italicised lines are of course from William Shakespeare’s The Tempest which celebrated ‘the discovery’ of Bermuda by shipwreck in a fierce storm. Some things never change, except that these days we discover more about ourselves and what we can achieve when united in the face of adversity.

To think, Mr Editor, it takes a hurricane.

PS Thanks too, for holding back last week’s column. Save it for next week when we’ve all settled a little more.