The world continues to spin out of control. We feel like we can’t hold on. If it’s not the rise of Covid cases, it’s the earthquake and storm in Haiti. If it’s not the political discord, it’s Afghanistan. There is little we can do, literally.
So let’s turn to this image from our friend-teacher-blogger Ruth Hersey’s. Ruth lives and teaches in Haiti. She made it home safely from a summer trip to the states only to be faced with political upheaval and an earthquake. Ruth is thankfully safe. Every day she posts a photo response to a daily prompt. She posted this beauty on Facebook. It’s an image that speaks of the beauty found in the tragedy. The petals are from the flamboyant tree (poinciana).
Ruth is also posting daily updates about Haiti and organizations that are on the ground doing good work. Check her FB page. For another way to donate to vetted organizations on the ground, click here for CNN’s Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Your flames still burn bright
Margaret Simon, draft
petals fall, confetti-tears
after the party
Write a small poem in the comments. Share encouraging words for other writers. Donate to Haiti, if you are able.
Reflections on the Teche 
hearts drenched
flattened against
a violet of care
Thanks, Margaret. There is so little we can do, and we must do it.
“a violet of care” – beautiful! That vibrant purple with the red spoke to me, too.
Drenched is such a good word choice. Love the hope of “violet of care”.
“There is so little we can do, and we must do it.” Yes.
Love your care spilling from violet, such an evocative color, thanks Heidi.
Forgot to say how much I like “confetti-tears” and how you always, always maintain hope.
I, too forgot to say the SAME! “Confetti tears” is such a mixture of emotions.
Flamboyantly
Again she’ll rise
With bright but
Older piercing eyes
And all that see her
Will be awed
She dances still
By grace of God.
By Donna JT Smith 8/18/2021
So much hope in your words, Donna. Thank you.
This is lovely. I’m so glad you wrote with us today.
Thank you for this hopefullness.
I feel like you have captured Haiti here, as well as the flamboyant tree, in this sweet verse.
Another beautiful photo to touch hearts, Margaret. “Confetti-tears” is a beautiful image.
flames of love,
loss, and grief—
red on purple
leaf by leaf
“Leaf by leaf” is gentle and kind.
Thank goodness that love stands there with loss and grief.
I am thankful for everyone’s hopefulness (and yes, for Margaret’s “confetti-tears.”) Before I came to read your offerings, I wrote from a place of deep despair:
We can’t deny it —
we all have blood on our hands.
What will we do now?
Yes–sometimes pause, regroup, and keep going.
Powerful!
Thank you, Mary Lee.
Powerful poem Margaret! Thanks for sharing Ruth’s layered and sumptuous image.
heavy-hearted,
beauty turns bitter-eared to
ravishes round us…
Love “beauty turns bitter-eared”
This photo has been in my thoughts for the last few days. Thanks for sharing it, Ruth and Margaret. It is so sad. All I can think is…
Expressive tears of God