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Feb 25, 2024
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Children of the Homeland
When silver streaks storm the sky,
and gray smoke fills their homeland,
I wonder what children are told
to help them understand.
When parents try to save children's lives
while terrorized on their homeland,
I wonder what children are told
to help them understand.
When there is no bread, no water,
no nourishment in their homeland,
I wonder what children are told
to help them understand.
When no medicine or aid can reach them
when injured or dying in their homeland,
I wonder what the watching world can say
to help them understand.
My homeland is my cherished place.
I know no other sacred, holy space.
If told to flee my home, my land,
nothing said would make me understand.
About This Poem
Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft
Comments
Candlewitch
2 years 1 month ago
Dear Lavender,
Your poem is remarkable! You capture the fragility of the suddenly displaced conditions and the helplessness...
*ever eddy
*hugs, Cat
You have written a horror poem here, to put all of mine to shame!
e.s.
Lavender
2 years 1 month ago
Hello, Cat and Eddy,
This is offered as a prayer or meditation. I cannot imagine the feeling of such terror, or the need to flee one's home.
Thank you for reading. I am always grateful for your thoughts!
L
Alaethia D
2 years 1 month ago
Well...
this one made me cry. The sorrow and pain of children in the countries around the world currently at war has been a cloud over my heart for a very long time. You gave that cloud a chance to rain, and everything aches a little less because of it. Thank you for writing and sharing this poem. The message it gives is so needed. I especially love the sympathy perspective expressed by the final stanza: "nothing said would make me understand."
Lavender
2 years 1 month ago
Hello, Alaethia,
To have to flee your beloved homeland out of fear for your life and the lives of your loved ones is something I cannot understand - a heartbreaking, unthinkable torment. I appreciate your thoughts with this.
Thank you!
L
William Lynn
2 years 1 month ago
Hello Lavender.
Hello Lavender.
Thank you for this poem. It is a set of questions everybody should ask of themselves as they try to picture themselves in such an impossible situation. I can't begin to imagine having to try to make a child understand and I suspect it would be impossible.
Personally, I think this is one of your best poems. Thanks again! - Will
Lavender
2 years 1 month ago
Hello, Will,
As we see the faces of those in war areas, it is hard to imagine what is really happening, and why. A heartbreaking thought for most of us, a fearful and horrific reality for those whose homelands are war zones.
Thank you for reading. Much appreciated!
L