Malagy invited us to write poetry or prose inspired by a quote from the last book we read.
All the books I read lately were about refugees or had an element of it in it
The last book I picked up in a book barn was a poetry book.
Yes, again Poems about migration.
I believe in signs and recently started a course to teach ESOL to migrants and refugees. I look forward to it. I am a bit nervous as well, as English is my second language.
A New Song
She lost ten threads
of hope,
Twenty threads of peace,
Her garment a dimming light,
Her song sank like a sunset.
They called her a refugee.
Carried by a current,
Where would she wash up?
Her mind, entangled in a spinning wheel
With a thousand threads.
They called her a refugee.
She caught remnants of
another life,
Tunes her grandma left behind.
A heavy sadness settled in,
She lost fibers from her woven fabric.
They called her a refugee.
One morning, a new
melody arose,
Spun from a daring sunset.
Some took her by the hand,
Embraced her in a new land.
They call her a friend.
The Poetry book I found is called On the Move, poems about migration by Michael Rosen
Quote on the book
What you leave behind
Won't leave your mind
But home is where you find it
Home is where you find it
Good quote, and the poem is both lovely and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosemary :)
DeleteWritten with real passion - wonderful - Jae
ReplyDeleteaww thanks Jae
Delete"where would she wash up... " ominous and real - I read Behrouz Boochani's book No friend but the mountains some time ago and it was really troubling. Your poem brings to mind all the lives lost on the boats crossing the mediterranean.
ReplyDeleteI have seen him He is a great poet as well. I haven't read the book but have seen the documentary about the detention camp in Australia
DeleteMarja, this a very tender rendering of your chosen sublect full of humanity. Your closing verse is masterful, which the rest of the poem sets up so well. Loved it...
ReplyDeleteaww thank you
DeleteFriends. If we would only be more friendly to each other.
ReplyDeleteYes at least that's one thing we have control over :)
Delete...Marja, this is a lovely poem and many of us are losing threads of hope and threads of peace!
ReplyDeleteThanks Yes the world is a bit ugly atm
DeleteBeautiful opening stanza. Thanks for bringing a refugee to life in a world where they are mostly unseen as people.
ReplyDeleteThanks and I agree
DeleteI love the progression, the promise this poem makes. So much truth in your poem and in the quote. I remember how hard it was to be a just-arrived immigrant. I was 16. I didn't know the language. The person who offered their time--to teach a much of us after their regular work--remains one of the people I admire the most.
ReplyDeleteDo keep us posted. I can't wait to read about the good you do.
Thanks Oh great Magaly I am happy about that. It is not that hard for me as I recently retired. So lots of time.
DeleteFinally, poor girl, someone to the rescue.
ReplyDelete..
Yes we need more of them
DeleteI love that last stanza - a new melody arose - lovely writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan
DeleteI'm afraid, refugees and migrants have little to do with poetry. Their life is in a new place and unpredictable. Your last stanza, though, Marja,sounds optimistic: "What you leave behind/ Won't leave your mind' But home is where you find it.
ReplyDeleteNo but I did write it to make them visible. That stanza you mentioned is unfortunately not mine It's from a poetry book about migration
DeleteA fabulous image there. Your poetry reveals hopes for the fled
ReplyDeleteI love the quote, and your writing is beautiful and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on starting a new course to teach English. I did that when I was at teacher's college. We taught migrants at night school. I was nervous but it was fun. Love your song.
ReplyDeleteDear Marja, this is another wonderful poem from you that awakens many feelings in me. You are a master at using words. It's also great that you have started a course to teach migrants and refugees English. I don't think you need to be nervous because English is your second language - that probably means you have more feeling for the people who are supposed to learn english, more knowledge of where the problems with this language can be found. And since I was able to get to know you personally, I am convinced that you are a good, sensitive teacher.
ReplyDeleteHugs, all the best and happy weekend, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/06/weltreise-2024-5-station-neuseeland.html
I forgot to ask you if you read all the comments on my previous post that referred to your poem "Age, a work of art". So many of my blog friends were very enthusiastic about it - and that's no wonder! :-)
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3
Aww thanks I must have a look
DeleteHi Marja - I too see and read so much about refugees - and think of their plight ... yet as you note - a friend will reach out ... I sincerely hope so - for them all. Good luck with the teaching aspect - you have the care to help them through ... and always there's 'a smile' which see us all through so many things - cheers and congratulations - Hilary
ReplyDeleteAnother great poem. I used to teach ESOL to Italian Migrants in Sydney many many years ago. I was nervous but it turned out fun. It was part of my teaching course for Papua new Guinea back in the 60's. You will be fine. You are so clever.
ReplyDeleteDearest Marja, thank you for your lovely comments. How wonderful that in February 2025 you will be following part of the route we took with Williams sister. You live in such a beautiful country. There may be too few castles and museums in NZ, but there is really A LOT of breathtaking nature - and you have the Giant's House and better murals ;-)) (But I know, Austria ist great, too :-D)
ReplyDeleteHugs and all the best, Traude
...Amen to MLKjr!
ReplyDelete