Truth And Reconciliation

[kiz_paws]

This poem shudders
at the lack of understanding,
the raw hatred
the greediness
the lies spilled
the blind eyes
the murder of a culture
from those who sought to do good

This poem weeps
for the children
swept away
in the name of religion
never to know their language,
their tradition,
their brothers

This poem shines
for the courage
of those who sing their song
united in a chorus
that cannot be stifled any longer
a melody that penetrates
through the mists of memory

This poem smiles
that humanity can be restored
that secrets cannot be kept
that healing can begin

This poem is yours


"The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears" ... Native American Proverb

[tonywalt]

Stunning poem Kizzo , love the opening.

This poem shudders
at the lack of understanding,

- and it must all be said. We are a really poor excuse of a species too much of the time. I can only imagine that we did not become the dominant species from being nice- It's not a soothing thought.

(Great proverb! I shall remember that one)

[kiz_paws]

Thanks so much, Tony. :)

[YesNo]

Good poem, however, it is not just in the name of religion but also in the name of atheism that all this occurs as well.

[Bowler]

‘This poem is yours’

Thank you, accepted with much enjoyment. I do like poetry that speaks to the reader.
I am a firm believer that words have only one function and that is to communicate so anything I write is in step with that belief.
Thank for the pleasure

Regards.
John.

[Pompey Bum]

The sequential structure of shudders: horrific; weeps: mournful; shines: heroic; and smiles: hopeful works well in the universe of the poem. The poem doesn't work for me personally because it's too damned optimistic (and a little simplistic), but you know, it doesn't have to work for me. You may have meant the resolution--"This poem is yours"--as more sunny optimism ("the bird is in your hands"--that kind of thing), but I think it works best as a subtle accusation (in other words, it's yours because you've had a role in what's described). Again, that doesn't work for me personally (I reject responsibility for the things the poem describes), but that has nothing to do with the poem's effectiveness as art (or the right of others to opinions). It's really a fine job, kiz. Congratulations. :)

[kiz_paws]

Good poem, however, it is not just in the name of religion but also in the name of atheism that all this occurs as well.Thank you, YesNo, for reading and commenting. You are right in what you said.

[kiz_paws]

‘This poem is yours’

Thank you, accepted with much enjoyment. I do like poetry that speaks to the reader.
I am a firm believer that words have only one function and that is to communicate so anything I write is in step with that belief.
Thank for the pleasure

Regards.
John.Thank you, John, for reading and commenting.
When I wrote that 'this poem is yours' I was really speaking to the ones going through the process, not so much to 'the reader'. But interesting that my line felt that way to you, and perhaps others.

[kiz_paws]

The sequential structure of shudders: horrific; weeps: mournful; shines: heroic; and smiles: hopeful works well in the universe of the poem. The poem doesn't work for me personally because it's too damned optimistic (and a little simplistic), but you know, it doesn't have to work for me. You may have meant the resolution--"This poem is yours"--as more sunny optimism ("the bird is in your hands"--that kind of thing), but I think it works best as a subtle accusation (in other words, it's yours because you've had a role in what's described). Again, that doesn't work for me personally (I reject responsibility for the things the poem describes), but that has nothing to do with the poem's effectiveness as art (or the right of others to opinions). It's really a fine job, kiz. Congratulations. :)I was so hoping that someone would constructively give me their thoughts on this poem. Thank you for your honesty, PB! :)

Canada has a very dark spot on its history. In a nutshell, there were 'swoops' in the 1960's, where aboriginal children were removed from their families, by force, and placed in residential schools, were they were 'de-Indianized' (shocking term, but yes this is what happened). In these schools terrible things happened and I won't use up this thread in an explanation, but just to say that NOW, Canada is trying to make good of this dreadful past and heal relations with our First Nations people.

This issue is one that really pisses me off and I was trying to blast the reader at the start, and then show the hopefulness of a conversation now started and healing will come. Not today, but soon.

This poem is yours is for my fellow Canadians who suffered such wrong and that I see it and call it out.

Thank you so much again!
~K♥zzo

[Pompey Bum]

In these schools terrible things happened and I won't use up this thread in an explanation, but just to say that NOW, Canada is trying to make good of this dreadful past and heal relations with our First Nations people.

Yes, I could tell you were enthused about something--that's because you are a better person than I am. :) Anyway, thank you for the heartfelt poem. Your decency as a human being was fully evident.

[kiz_paws]

Thank you to the man in the bunny suit from the uncanny valley. ;)