(Slice of Life is a month-long writing challenge to write every day in March, with a focus on the small moments. It is hosted by Two Writing Teachers. This year, I’m going to pop in and out, but not write daily slices, as I did for the past ten years of Slice of Life. You write, too.)
My personal way to deal with the world is often to write. All I have to offer in the wake of the tragedy of Christchurch, New Zealand, is a poem. It doesn’t seem nearly enough.
What madness writes
seventy-four pages of
nonsense, a diatribe
to destroy others,
in a bid to be recognized
by the world, splintered
as it is, already, by hate?And what madness watches
the world splinter
even further on the
small screen, as if the knowing is not
enough, that the
seeing is required for truth?What I know in this mourning
only is sadness, and grief,
and compassion, and no one ever seems
to stream the kindness of
the world, only the madness
Peace (to us all),
Kevin
Thank you for your words, Kevin.
You are welcome. I wish such words had more power than they do, even if I often say words have power. Events sometimes shake us.
Kevin
Your poetry always speaks truth. Today it’s a spark of beauty against the darkness, a reminder that all compassion is not yet gone. It is hard to understand what man chooses to do to man. I mourn with you this “world splintered by hate.”
Fran, thank you for your words, too. I suppose poetry is one way to try to express oneself, even if it sometimes feels like skittering across the surface of something deeper.
Kevin
What I know in this mourning
only is sadness, and grief,
and compassion, and no one ever seems
to stream the kindness of
the world, only the madness
Exactly Kevin, Thanks
Bonnie, thank you for stopping by and finding something of value inside those stanzas.
Kevin
Your words make me long for a world that streams kindness…my heart aches for the world we currently inhabit.
It does happen — the sharing of kindness — but it gets drowned out by the hurt at times …
Peace to you as well
Thank you
Kevin, what a beautiful response to such a horrific event. I think so many of us are stunned by the hatred and cruelty that is lurking out there and ready to strike some of the kindest, most vulnerable people. Your words were like a salve for my soul.
Always grateful if words and poems help someone else — they help me to write, if only for a bit of time
Kevin, you have captured the ache that I feel after yesterday’s senseless act. Yes we do need to stream kindness. Thinking deeply about that idea.
More of us need to, I think … maybe we can curate a site of kindness …
“No one ever seems to stream the kindness of the world.” This is a powerful line. Beautifully constructed, Kevin. Your poem is comforting. These words matter. Thank you.
Thank you, Kevin. Words can be a salve, a comfort. Thank you for this poem. I echo what Glenda and others point out – that last line: “No one ever seems to stream the kindness of the world, only the madness” brings it all home.
Thank you, Sherri
Yes, lovely poem to honour such a terrible time that unfortunately we know won’t be the last.
That’s one of the more difficult realizations, I think
Peace to us all indeed.
– Stacie
Yeah. We gotta make it happen.
no one ever seems
to stream the kindness of
the world, only the madness
Such haunting words. Thank you.
Thank you for taking time to read and notice and comment, Diane
Your poem is wonderful even though it speaks of man’s inhumanity towards man. I can’t even bring myself to write about this. THank you for doing so!
especially… “stream the kindness of
the world”
I’ve been thinking the same for two years now– each of us must “stream the kindness of the world”
I’m reminded of the song by Raffi for Nelson Mandela and his words: Turn This World Around
Your poems lift us all. Thank you, Sheri
Well put Kevin. Here’s to live streaming kindness.
Kevin, this is a beautiful poem for a very sad event. Let’s stream kindness. Your poem was enhanced by Lumen 5. You reminded me to try this approach for a new slice. Thanks.