|
Tears for Benazir
by Rafika AndersonIs there a stunning sound when hope evaporates into the sun
Is there an enormous puff of smoke, shattering of glass, or perchance a wail
Is there a tear shed when democracy undermined dies bleeding in the streets
Is there a thousand blows to the chest when tyranny grips the body with limbs atrembling
Is there grave mourning in the corridors of justice as assassins steal our peace
Is there any escape from misery for the ever-suffering, disenfranchised poor
Is there life without purpose, potential, mission, or God's divine plan
Is there another architect of change equal to this disturbing violence
Is there a brilliant passion that can obliterate this powerful pain
Where is the light, that golden grain of truth, that can quell this rising storm? 12/27/2007 Author's Note: For Benazir with whom I was honored to share time in the Philippines. Title changed from "Tears of Grief and Outrage."
Posted on 12/27/2007
Copyright © 2010 Rafika Anderson
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Barbara Penryn on 12/27/07 at 05:24 PM Tremendously powerful voice of Outrage in form and content! Each question pounds home the process, meaning, and utter outrage of tyranny. Beautifully expressed, tremendously important stuff! This is a powerful example of the power of poetry to influence social change. Bravo! |
| Posted by J. P. Davies on 12/27/07 at 08:19 PM Seconded. Great questions to be asked. I hope we find some answers. |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 12/27/07 at 11:42 PM Flawless. |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 12/29/07 at 04:14 PM I have not been able to find words for this event; you are speaking them for me and I thank you for the standing, for the railing, for the insight. |
| Posted by Michelle Angelini on 12/30/07 at 02:04 AM Strong, disturbing questions with too few answers. Ok, now I finally remembered to breathe...and they need to be asked. Excellent tribute to Benazir.
~Chelle~ |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 01/01/08 at 10:35 AM This poet's heart bleeds with yours and for Pakistan in this its darkest hours. Your poem, very well expressed. |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 01/01/08 at 11:16 AM Thank you for this. |
| Posted by Dovina Sharon on 01/01/08 at 01:00 PM She was Pakistan's best hope in the elections. But to answer your penultimate line, a passion for the children there might just be the answer that obliterates this kind of senseless pain in the next generation. I want to go there. See http://www.hopedevelopment.org/ Some good thoughts here. |
| Posted by Dave Fitzgerald on 01/02/08 at 03:39 AM A fine tribute. |
| 
