Sometimes poets experience a strong need to respond to current events -global or local. Poets across many generations have frequently taken a position on matters enacting around them. They raise their voices, they speak out and write their words. Sometimes they are directly affected, at other times they are keen observers...
For this reason I felt compelled to write about the sad events currently occurring in Afghanistan, a country that has already endured two long decades of war and disruption. There is so much uncertainty surrounding life for the vast majority of the Afghan people.
I am aware of my ineffectualness here, but I must speak my truth at this time. I am both sad and angry regarding this lamentable outcome. My words reflect deep disillusionment regarding past and present actions. Life and poetry often converge in the thoughts arising from these emotional peaks and troughs we all encounter.
Afghanistan Falling
Weak resolve
Is never fulfilled
Vague, half belief
Is never clear
willed
They lose today
What was thought to
be gained yesterday
Nothing laudable here in prone submission
The don't look back
The cut and run.
This besieged land is now overrun with uncertainty
-Trepidation and horror loom large
Who wrought this mad outcome
This fearsome agony?
We are rendered witless to the sum of this impending tragedy
While the people are handed the smithereens of broken promises.
©Alan j Wright
It is once again Poetry Friday and our host this week is Carol at her 'Apples In My Orchard' Blog. Carol's post focuses upon I Am Poems as envisaged by a number of prominent American Poets. Please visit Carol's blog to discover more and to make connection with a host of worldly poets.
So sad about these smithereens of broken promises.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ruth. I have worked with kids from Afghanistan. Their stories are often almost soul destroying and then you look at their incredible resilience and aspiration and you find yourself in awe of their enduring spirit.
DeleteI am sad, too, & wish hoping would make it better. My city is receiving many of the refugees so I can help with that at least. Like Ruth, too, the tragedy is what you wrote, those "smithereens of broken promises".
ReplyDeleteI wish you well in your efforts to help Linda. Hopefully I too will be able to find more tangible ways to assist, as Australia has declared their intention to assist Afghan refugees.
DeleteWeak resolve is never fulfilled seems so true. I'm sick of my country going to war with no clear mission and no exit. It's shameful. Korea, Vietnam, now this. It is too easy to go to war.
ReplyDeleteIt seems my country is often all too willing to follow your country into these troubled situations Janice.
DeleteAlan, I too, am disillusioned at what has happened in Afghanistan over so many, many years. It is hard to fathom what their lives have been like. I recently read with interest, Khaled Hosseini's, A Thousand Splendid Suns because I remembered reading The Kite Runner years ago. The descriptions of girls' lives in the worn torn country of Afghanistan made me both grateful to have been born when and where I was, as well as disheartened that there is still so much violence and devaluing of human lives in the world today. Thank you for sharing your poem. It struck a raw nerve with me.
ReplyDeleteI read Khaled Hosseini's 'Sea Prayer' -a story in verse concerning the plight of a refugee family and I found myself struck by the inhumanity heaped upon these families forced to flee. Your comments are most pertinent. Our comparative safety is nothing but an accident of birth and should never be taken for granted. Compassion for others needs to be accompanied by action.
DeleteIt's so sad and it's so complicated. My heart breaks.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult not to feel disheartened by these horrendous events Jone. I'm with you...
DeleteAlan - that last line is so simple, truthful and powerful. I feel like Afghanistan shows us we learned nothing from the past - the fear and desperation of people trying to leave reminds me of the fall of Saigon. Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteAs you note Elisabeth, there are strong similarities to Saigon in all this current mess. History has a habit of repeating past mistakes unfortunately. Glad you appreciated that last line.
DeleteA friend of mine was a Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan in the early 1970's. She just completed her memoir (https://www.amazon.com/Few-Minor-Adjustments-Afghanistan-Odyssey/dp/B0948LKYSZ/). It's quite timely to consider where we (and the Afghanis) were then and now. It seems to me that none if this would have happened if we hadn't tried to Westernize a nomadic society. Chalk up another failure for colonialism...
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, your remarks are profound and perceptive. The grand folly of imperial arrogance once more acted out, this time to the detriment of the people of Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a tragic situation and one that was sadly predictable. "Weak resolve/is never fulfilled." Too true.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a tragedy Molly. Unfortunately, it was quite predictable.
DeleteListening, watching is gut-wrenching. Lamentable is the nice word for it. What a mess...a big mess that involves human life and death and terror. Thank you for poeming for Afghanistan. I just am not there yet. Too upset.
ReplyDeleteSuch events can be quite overwhelming and we often need time to fully digest the ramifications, so I fully understand your anger Linda and the need to centre your thoughts
DeleteIt is a sad world these days, Alan. Your words are strong. "smithereens of broken promises" is rightfully worded!
ReplyDeleteThere are a significant number of events occurring right now that deplete our spiritsCarol. That is why we must cling to hope and perform with principle and dignity. We must shine a light into these dark recesses of humanity.
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