Tuesday, August 22, 2017

"Hope Always Rising"

This photo has nothing to do with the poem -
This is an image of the Blue Ridge Pkway at 96% solar eclipse
...and the bee buzzing about this wild grape vine.
Please do not read this poem without reading the inspirational (current event) true story which inspired it.  "Devota, Valentine: "Everyday, We Are Blessed To Be Alive" by Jon Katz

Hope Always Rising

As a child I read fairytales, believed enduring wrongs
and injustices would always be rewarded if patient,
if good.  I lived on hope; hoped I'd be pretty one day,
hoped I'd have a fine wardrobe, find a handsome husband,
hoped ... oh so many frivolous things.

I never imagined walking over two thousand miles
in a war ravaged country, fleeing genocide,
a baby upon my back.

Never imagined plunging into a year's long hardship,
avoiding, not always successfully,
rape, hunger, bone weary exhaustion.

Never imagined passing by children
abandoned upon forest floor, starving, some already dead
as there was no one to save them.

Never imagined dodging bullets, fearing countless soldiers
and farmers (as food was scavenged from their fields),
not always escaping injury.

Never imagined "walking on bones".

As a child, and shamefully even an adult, my hopes
and prayers sometimes seemed fickle -
as if incorrectly answered I might read a book
instead of recite a nightly devotional.

But Devota never abandoned her Valentine,
her prayers never ceased, happiness not expected,
nor survival - although hope for freedom,
hope in perseverance, hope of a friendly border
did cling stubbornly to her belief in salvation.

Twenty years a U.N. refugee, waiting in Africa
for America to finally extend her hand;
and we are all the richer for Devota
and her wise and solemn "Grimm" fairytale.

Happily ever after, to quote Emerson
"...is to be useful, to be honorable,
to be compassionate, to have it make a difference
that you have lived and lived well".

Immigrants and refugees remind us
what's really important, the giving of ourselves,
each to the other; remembering what compassion means.

by Margaret Bednar, August 22, 2017


An interesting link from the History Channel:  Rwanda-genocide

This is linked with "dVerse - Poetics: Border"

19 comments:

Jim said...

Margaret. you put faces, hunger, desolation on the refugees for us nice job. I hope and plan never to be one of these.
..

brudberg said...

This is devastating to read. So many disasters happening, and we need the stories to comprehend the importance of life.

Kim M. Russell said...

An honest poem and a harrowing read, Margaret, which puts borders into perspective, especially that line that stands on its own:
'Never imagined "walking on bones".'

Nosaint said...

This was a valuable essay and your poem a good distillation of it, particularly with the emerson quote and juxtaposition of a more privileged perspective struggling to come to terms with what a nightmare reality is for many folks.

coffeecatspoetry said...

This was wonderful - I love how it begins with ordinary, 'frivolous' hopes that help us to connect. Reminded me how important it is to listen to others' stories and experiences, even when they are difficult to hear, and remember 'what compassion means'.

Jim said...

Margaret. you put faces, hunger, desolation on the refugees for us nice job. I hope and plan never to be one of these.
..

Sanaa Rizvi said...

Oh gosh this is powerful, Margaret. I could hardly read on without tearing up and clutching at my heart! Beautifully penned.

Debi Swim said...

Soulfully expressed and I love the Emerson quote.

Frank Hubeny said...

Good quote by Emerson that the purpose of life is not to be happy but to be useful, honorable and compassionate.

Kerry O'Connor said...

Margaret, I find your poem deeply touching - the narrative voice is so authentic and the message rings clear and true.

Carrie Van Horn said...

I love the parallel you have painted out of the border of our childhood here and what it would be like for a child of Rwanda. This holds a powerful message Margaret. Thank you for sharing this.

Alison H said...

Both the article and your poem were powerful reads and the subject matter heartbreaking. I am forever humble in the presence of the courage and compassion of others. I believe that Emerson's quote is one that I value and try to live up to and I am very aware that we often have no idea about the true extent of human suffering and selfless courage.

tonispencer said...

very powerful.

Anonymous said...

The way this began: we were drawn in, and thus we were pulled into see what no child should. Very powerful.

Grace said...

I love the message of compassion and empathy with those who need it the most ~ Very inspiring to read tonight Margaret ~

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Margaret, i read Jon's post first, so moved by Devota and Veronica's journey. Then your powerful poem, equally riveting. It hurts that they came to America and now encounter some of the same discrimination they fled. However, the majority of folks are resisting this turn into darkness, and i hope this gives them hope we will right ourselves again. I like what Jon says about America fighting to save its soul. Thanks for helping to spread this story. I am glad to have read it.

Sarah Russell said...

An amazing story, and an amazing poem. Thank you, Margaret.

Cedarwind said...

More and more world events are challenging us to show true humanity by extending humanity beyond our borders...how can we say we care if we only care about 'us' ... an excellent write

Magaly Guerrero said...

This is so touching, deep...