There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.
-Toni Morrison
This isn’t the post I was expecting to write. Numb. Shell-shocked. Devastated. These are all adjectives I’ve heard to describe the feelings many of us have this week. I have them, too. On Wednesday I wanted to scream and cry, but I also wanted to write. It is often through writing that we can begin to understand.
On her post for This Photo Wats to Be a Poem, Margaret invited small poems in response to a photo of votive candles in a church. Inspired by her words, I wrote, then reworked a poem about hope I had written during the pandemic. That day I also had a conversation with my cello teacher (who also happens to be a writer). All that inspiration and all those ideas joined together in my poem for today.
Aftermath
In the shadow of what came to be
may we find comfort in
the warmth of the sun,
the glow of the moon,
the laughter of children,
the song of the wren.
And may we move forward
planting love, not hate,
growing truth, not lies,
sowing hope, not fear.
Draft, 2024RoseCappelli
Thanks for stopping by today. Cathy has the round up today at Merely Day by Day. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Yes. A walk in the woods soothes me. Fingers to my keyboard bring satisfaction in the promise of sharing peace, compassion, empathy, and hope. Our books for kids can deliver dignity … especially when so-called leaders lack the above. Thanks for sharing yours.
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Thanks, Joyce.
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Yes. Just yes. I know that as the disappointment and sense of loss ebbs, I am seeking solace in candles of light and hope — and thoughts of –what is being asked of us now? And before any action, before any plans, I know it must begin with truth, love, hope.
I am so grateful to be on this road with you, Rose –and all our PF friends. Look at us! Finding refuge and inspiration in one another’s poetry! Such a gift!
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Thank you, Patricia. I heard someone comment recently that the one thing we don’t want to be during all this is alone. So happy to have friends here where, like you said, we can find refuge in poetry.
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Thank you so much for your heartening poem. Finding refuge in words — whether reading poetry or writing new poems — definitely helps ease the mind and allows the release of pent-up emotions. Writers often work out problems on the page and discover something about themselves they didn’t previously know. The first sentence of this post, coincidentally, is the exact one I wrote right after Hillary lost in 2016. Here we are again.
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Thank you, Rose–and that first line is arresting!
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We have a snowstorm today, & actually I’ve been out in it, shaking the limbs of trees, clearing shrubs, Rose, finding comfort out in nature, though it’s certainly different from a few days ago! Your poem shows us more ways to gather together, to gather strength for the coming days. It is a balm for us and I am grateful. Let’s go!
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YES to all of these comforting things.
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hat was such a moving poem – a needed one for sure. Eve as a Canadian, I too felt such despair Wednesday morning, I decided I needed hope, the hope that VP Harris raised in us. So I have started a notebook of encouraging, empowering words to help me through the year ahead especially. Yours will be in it.
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Thank you!
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At times like these, Rose we need to move in circles closer to home, closer to love and acceptance. It is a time to call upon resilience and all those amazing simple pleasures that are highlighted in your poem. It is a time for positive self talk and self protection. As you write, we must move forward sowing hope not fear…
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Thanks, Alan.
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Rose, thank you for your contributions to This Photo. And I didn’t know you took cello lessons! I hope you saw the video on Mary Lee’s post. I’ve resolved to put beauty and poetry in the world. That’s what your poem commands. I hope you join #haikuforhealing.
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Thanks, Margaret. I’ve been cello-ing for about a year and half, but I’ve been a violinist for many, many years. And yes, I bookmarked the video Mary Lee posted.
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Amen.
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Thank you for your beautiful poem. I want to put it beside the poem Robyn shared by Janet Wong, “Look for Birds.” Both seem to remind that JOY and hardship can walk side by side. Your last three lines – let’s do this, not that – remind that there’s work to do. There’s always work to do. Thanks for joining this week’s roundup.
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Thanks, Cathy.
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Rose, you will be cheered to know that a long-longed for baby was born on November 6 to our neighbors across the street, and they named him Wren. May his song be heard loud and clear and long!
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Wonderful!
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