Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Heart Travels

Korea

i came in search of an entertaining synthesis of commercialism and ancient tile-roofed palaces
of rainbow-color-saturated markets and vibrant neon signs
tongue tantalizing fermented spice
and slippered feet tucked under child-sized tables in elegant sparse rooms
but in your mountainous heart i found a wide gaping wound
i stumbled unexpectedly over my history
and grieved for brave faces and valiant lines lost
how can wholeness be
when your right hand scavenges for food and your left bare foot is swollen and bruised
when your grandfather sleeps in a lonely, unfamiliar grave
and your grandmother overtaxes her memories and dreams to imagine your face
when the great divide does not mean
a barrier between you and your enemy
but a tourniquet strategically applied near your heart
may this horrific disease never spread and consume you
may the warmth of true, unforgetful love
and a miracle do
what only a miracle can
rescue your suffering members
restore you... whole.


9 comments:

  1. What to say, Stepheny...very moving. Are these your words?

    Beth

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  2. They are. We just got back Saturday. Thanks for your sweet words. I've been having trouble expressing what I saw and felt.

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  3. Heart-aching and honest. I think that is some powerful writing.

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  4. Phenomenal poem Steph. Happy to connect to your blog!

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  5. what a beautiful, heartfelt love prayer. it
    must be devastating to see such need and
    lack.

    thank you for sharing and for your prayers
    as my daughter ventures to the brazil.

    love,
    lea

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  6. Lovely words, expressive thoughts...thank you for sharing your heart with us.

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  7. i'm just checking to see if you're ok,
    because you haven't posted in a while.

    blessings,
    lea

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. Thank you Lea for your care. I responded to you in e-mail form. I hope it finds it's way to you. I just haven't been able to string together words for this blog of late. Though I do love written expression and the nice folks I've met in cyberspace.

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Thank you for your comments. They help me feel that I am some how connected out here in Blogland and not just writing to the air.

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