Red & White
The six colors of the huge bow in the sky
Shifted to the Red band
Staining them with the hue
Then came down on this Earth
As one red butterfly
Sitting on a white rose
I was amazed to see
How the bright red wings
Were slowly transforming them into alphabets
Until a word was formed:
GARISSA!*
O Lord!
How to change those stony hearts
Into the soft petals
Of a fragrant love
To turn this nightmare
Of a world
Into a honeyed cote
Of the White Dove?
*A total of 147 people were shot dead in a terror attack at Garrisa
University, Kenya, this year. Most of the victims were students. It’s a
gruesome sight to see the walls of the rooms stained with their dried up blood.
Many of whom were first generation university goers with the rainbow-dreams of
supporting their family in future.
Posted for Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Colors
Sumana, I wrote with similar thoughts. Really there has been too much 'red' in the world of late. The attack at Garissa was terrible. How very sad & how very senseless are all of these terror attacks. How to change the stony hearts into soft petals -- yes, that is the question of the day.
ReplyDeleteTragic!! This is a touching tribute in memory of the attacks.
ReplyDeleteJust when I know I can feel no more a Sumana poem drops into my lap and takes me further. Garrisa. The newest Kent State, the next Guernica--but not in shades of black and white. Butterflies should not be so perverted. The White roses of youth should not be bloodied.
ReplyDeleteHow to change those stony hearts indeed. This poem, its prayer, your notes........the image of those walls stained with young innocent blood.........sigh. As Susan says, we think we can feel, can take, no more....and then somehow we do.
ReplyDeleteA red butterfly on a white rose. Innocent blood splattered on walls. A moving tribute that should sound a clarion call. Thank you,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
This is so heartbreaking. Your poem evoke the feelings associated with this tragedy, so perfectly.
ReplyDeleteIf only...if only all the world could be visted by butterflies and their hearts changed.
ReplyDeletegracias for reminding us of these young lives lost at the hands of those who either believe life is not in par with the value of death.
ReplyDeletei was ignorant of this incident but because of you no more
gracias
I enjoy the colors you chose to focus on and how the tone shifts in the closing stanza - powerful poem, Sumana.
ReplyDeleteIs it only poets and parents that see the foolishness of the world today? Politicians and statesmen, generals and commanders strut and declare their intent but nothing ever changes it just gets worse. So we gentle people must fight this evil with words. Thank you for this most relevant post Sumana.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute to the young victims of Garissa.
ReplyDeleteThe world desperately need the colour of peace.
I love how your poem both discusses this tragic event, but also transcends it. It reaches higher.
ReplyDeleteSumana, my heart is with yours. Oh, how do we change this world into love? I sink knowing of yet one more massacre. God bless us.
ReplyDeleteWow! Powerful! Poignant!
ReplyDeleteI do believe. This is my favourite ofvyour poems. I absolutely luv every word pieced in the correct notch of emotion, colour, and wisdom
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
Oh my! that is indeed a sad memory or situation to think about. May they rest in peace and happiness in heaven. God bless you Sumana. sweet and heartfelt inspiration indeed.
ReplyDeleteThe world has seen too much of red, the blood. I only hope that it all ends soon...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute to the poor victims...may their soul rest in peace...
They never had a chance. The first generation expected to bring the extended family towards a better future. It is a tragic episode!
ReplyDeleteHank
A moving poem Sumana - and yet i feel there is hope in the fact that they did get to university..that they laid a path for future children to follow..which must be one of the foundations of all hope..
ReplyDeleteThe world seems changed, right before our eyes, how did it happen?
ReplyDeleteThese are good questions...we need higher level of consciousness ...and it's coming...soon ~ your words reminded me old deceased souls...took to bright memories...thanks
ReplyDeleteThese wars will destroy the entire world some day! Why can't we live in harmony, after all we all have to leave from here!
ReplyDeleteSo sad! How do we change these cruel inhumane hearts?
ReplyDeletePoignant piece!
This is so moving. The last stanza, especially, achingly poignant and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe live in such violent times, Sumana, and your poem captures the horror in such a discreet manner. It is a perfectly fitting epitaph for those young lives lost, those dreams that were never realised... Very poignant.
ReplyDelete