~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Hi y'all! The 2024 Progressive Poem is here for Day #18. I think this might be my 12th time contributing? Is that possible? Wow. Anyway, I think this might be the hardest. I was befuddled by what is happening. Are our kids alone, no parents? There are so many bad things that could happen to them. I didn't want to make it take a dark turn, so I had to rein in my imagination a lot. My addition is at the bottom, bolded.
cradled in stars, our planet sleeps,
clinging to tender dreams of peace
sister moon watches from afar,
singing lunar lullabies of hope.
almost dawn, I walk with others,
keeping close, my little brother.
hand in hand, we carry courage
escaping closer to the border
My feet are lightning;
My heart is thunder.
Our pace draws us closer
to a new land of wonder.
I bristle against rough brush—
poppies ahead brighten the browns.
Morning light won’t stay away—
hearts jump at every sound.
I hum my own little song
like ripples in a stream
Humming Mami’s lullaby
reminds me I have her letter
My fingers linger on well-worn creases,
shielding an address, a name, a promise–
Sister Moon will find always us
surrounding us with beams of kindness
But last night as we rested in the dusty field,
worries crept in about matters back home.
I huddled close to my brother. Tears revealed
the no-choice need to escape. I feel grown.
Leaving all I’ve ever known
the tender, heavy, harsh of home.
On to maybes, on to dreams,
on to whispers we hope could be.
But I don't want to whisper! I squeeze Manu's hand.
"¡Más cerca ahora!" Our feet pound the sand.
We race, we pant, we lean on each other
I open my canteen and drink gratefully
Catherine at Reading to the Core is next!
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April 1 Patricia Franz at Reverie
You carried on the urgency set up by Heidi. A refreshing drink stops us a minute to catch our breath. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLike Margaret, I feel the urgency. These children are not stopping. They have renewed determination.
ReplyDeleteAfter some needed running, you gave them a break, which feels good, Tabatha. I agree; so much is ahead and could happen. It seems like you've reflected all your feelings for them.
ReplyDeleteI agree - it's hard to know what will become of these children! Thanks for your lines!
ReplyDeleteI feel the urgency after their running. I love how this is evolving!
ReplyDeleteTabatha, the action you provided is urgent. The need to remain together is important. Thank you for adding these words, "we lean on each other". No family is leading the children on. The pause for water may be a gift from a family member they left behind. The older child understands the meaning of gratitude even in these troubling times.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be a hard one to finish up. We all know where they're headed, what awaits them...how can we possibly give them a happy ending? (There better not be a cop out that makes it all a dream or some such.)
ReplyDeleteI picture them with a group, since L5 includes others, and since I know that migrants often travel in large groups of singles, families, "unaccompanied minors." I picture the narrator as 10, 11, 12 and Manu more like 5,6,7. I'm very glad to know they still have water, and that they can lean on each other.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these lines!
Tabatha, nice. I love the imaginings going on. Yes, like Heidi said, it's so good they have water. They recognize it's a gift to be grateful for, so maybe they don't always get to have it. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThirst… you’re keeping survival at the forefront, Tabatha. Well done.
ReplyDelete