Heather Buyce-Vasquez
Lyllian, Seattle, November 1989
The curve of the wall seen from the aerial view is surreal. Even more so though are the streams of people climbing the sides, sitting, jumping, waving their arms in the air – faces rosy with the cold but happy. Here and there people chip away at the stone, cracking off small pieces to stuff into pockets and knapsacks, a piece of history. A moment in time. “Mauerspechte” (Wall woodpeckers).
Eleven-year old Lyllian sits transfixed in her 6th grade classroom at St. Mark parish school. All around her classmates laugh and talk, some cheer, a lot are not fully paying attention to the small television suspended up by the chalk board just over the United States flag. Her teacher, Mr. Beasley, a rotund man of later years with a stern face and laughing eyes seem to the only one taking it in aside from her.
The newsreel finishes and cuts to the anchors who launch into the origins of the Berlin Wall and the events leading up to its demise.
Lyllian sits leaning forward chin resting on her hands and listens intently. This is all so fascinating to her.
A wall that separated husband from wife, brother from brother, friend from friend. There are guard towers placed along the large concrete walls that monitored all movement in what was known as the “death strip.” The wall was miles and miles long and over 11 feet high separating the West Berliners from East Germany and East Berlin. It had been in place for the last 28 years.
Supposedly the wall was erected to protect East Berlin from fascist elements and ideas pouring in from the West also preventing massive defection in Post-World War II Germany.
Lyllian vaguely recalls a concert a couple of years ago that featured one of her mother’s favorite artists, Bowie. An emotional tribute played next to the wall and the crowds pushing close to experience it. “The Wall Must Fall” “Gorby get Us Out!”
Lyllian and Mr. Beasley continue to watch coverage as the rest of the class clamors around happy at the chance to horse around while the teacher is occupied. He has stepped to the back and is noisily blowing his nose. Lyllian pretends not to notice.