It’s Memorial Day weekend in America. A time when we remember the sacrifice of those who gave their life in service to our country, specifically those who wore a uniform in military service. It is right and good that we do. That we set aside a day to remember, in gratefulness and awe, their sacrifice to protect the liberty and freedom, the right to pursue life and happiness, that we hold dear.
But I wonder, what is liberty and freedom in the days of Covid 19? What are our rights in this life of new normal? It’s not so much about rights, my rights, but rather what is right and good. I have been inspired these many weeks of sheltering in by a new army of selfless servants. The healthcare workers, the restauranteurs who cooked takeout, the grocery store workers, the mail carriers, delivery drivers, trash collectors, power company employees, the supply chain employees that kept essentials flowing and us, rolling in things like toilet paper…who knew that would be a thing? I wonder if the powers that be will designate a day in memory of these tireless heroes. Some gave their all…it is right that we do.
In the meantime, even as I remember our military heroes, I pause to honor these new heroes. I do it in small ways everyday…by thanking them, by being kind, and by wearing a mask when I am out to let them and others know that I care about keeping them safe. It’s the least I can do because freedom and liberty are not about my rights to pursue my own happiness to the exclusion of others. Freedom and liberty is not about my right to get a haircut, to have my nails done, to pack into corner pubs to have a drink, or to get in the face of others mask-less, spewing hatred and disdain, indignant that anyone would dare try to fence us in, to tell us what we can and cannot do. This is not freedom. Freedom and liberty only work when everyone is safe and well. Freedom is exemplified by those who gave their all, whether on distant shores in combat or on a very different battlefield in selfless care and concern for others. We’re not there yet. Sometimes I wonder if we will ever get there. But I know each of us can do our part. It’s what I choose to do. It’s the least I can do. I embrace my power to be kind, considerate, grateful, and in awe of the selfless heroes around me. What freedom! What liberty! What happiness!
Be safe and well my friends. Have a wonderful week!
morning will be here before we know
air, cool misty, damp
into the empty
bare limbs brushing the clay
finding joy in quiet moments,
in the eye of the storm
~kat
A ReVerse poem (a practice I started many years ago) is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the ReVerse features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week.
if you need to ask what freedom is
you’re not
drape yourself in stars and stripes
do whatever you feel like
hate the man, yeah! go on strike
if you need to ask…
count your pennies, buy more stock
build great walls, install more locks
it only matters who’s on top
what freedom is…
could declare your independence
time is wasted being decent
cash your chips before they’re spent
if you need to ask…
claim your rights, take up your arms
speak your mind, raise false alarms
before the others do you harm
you’re not…
grab what’s yours while you still can
change the rules and take command
always have the upper hand
if you need to ask what freedom is
you’re not
~kat
Had been tweaking this in response to call for poems about freedom. It was too long for the call, but I’m going with it just the same. My blog space will do just fine. 😊
“They Know Not” – Watercolor Painting by Kat Myrman
Fear makes us do crazy things.
What frightens you most?
Are you free?~ kat – 4 February 2017
I am full of questions now. Here is another quinzaine to ponder …
“Pro Life” is a misnomer.
Is life eternal?
What is death?~ kat – 4 February 2017
Wow! This poetry form is like a brain worm! It might even be the key to solving the world’s woes!!! More questions…
Happiness is everything.
What makes you happy?
Glass half full?~ kat – 4 February 2017
Okay…one more. Then I need to turn off my inquiring mind. I have things to do today!
We can never know the truth.
Is truth absolute?
Do you think?~ kat – 4 February 2017
The Quinzaine
This poetry form is one I’ve never tried before. Warning…it can be addictive once you give your deepest questions a voice. Don’t let its brevity fool you. This seemingly simple 15 syllable French poetry form is one powerful little dynamo. Here is a bit from Shadow Poetry explaining what makes a quinzaine a quinzaine, in case you want to give it a try:
“The English word quinzaine come from the French word qunize, meaning fifteen. A quinzaine is an unrhymed verse of fifteen syllables. These syllables are distributed among three lines so that there are seven syllables in the first line, five in the second line and three in the third line (7/5/3). The first line makes a statement. The next two lines ask a question relating to that statement.”
Photo by Ben Rossett
It was the perfect place to celebrate her life.
Family and friends gathered, gushing happy memories, laughing, crying; all brought together by the love of their sister, friend, wife, mother, aunt, grandma and great gran.
Some would insist it was the wind, but a handful of us will always believe it was her, never passing up the chance for a swing under the great oak tree that she loved.
kat ~ 14 October 2016
For Sonya’s Three Line Tale Challenge inspired by this photo by Ben Rosett.
like mercury colliding... 