on leaving Haiti: an elegy
this is a country we come to only in grieving only in leaving cheek of child left open to the rain Port-au-Prince a city of edges all middle America thinking all forms of ceremony and white cheese gone with the dying lilacs
Wow, great poem.
Interesting structure.
I like some of the more profound lines within this
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Thanks so much for reading. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem and hope you’ll come by again! Take care!
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This is haunting and beautiful. I keep reading it over and over. Your experience there has added immeasurably to who and what you are.
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It has truly been profound. I will never be the same and will miss the place desperately. I feel very connected to Haiti–grounded, at home, free. I don’t understand this, exactly.
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I imagine it is hard to leave Haiti even with the warm anticipation of returning to Lexington. Know your work has done more than you will ever realize – even if feeling incomplete at this point.
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I’d say that’s certainly true for Sara, but I haven’t really done anything but blog about Haiti. I feel I’ve gained much more than I’ve given–so much more.
Take care, Marlene, and hope your feel’eing okay. We’re praying for you!
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Beautiful and wistful Kathy. I think Haiti will miss you as much as you it.
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Thanks, Deanna. You know strangely enough, I think it’s writing about Haiti that has made me feel so connected to the place. Somehow I’ve processed the experience more deeply and meaningfully that way.
Hope you have a great weekend, Deanna!
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Such deep sadness in these lines.
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Good to hear from you, Charles. Hope you had a good break. We missed you around WordPress this week—————
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Touching. Beautiful. You are an amazing person, Kathryn.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem, Lisa! Thank you.
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My favourite of your poems so far, Kathy. Very heart-wrenching.
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Thanks, Dana–glad you enjoyed it! Take care and enjoy your weekend—————–
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Well done! It is obvious that you always hold a special place in your heart for Haiti and it’s people.
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So true, Mark! So true! I’ll never be the same!
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Poignant and expressive, Kathy – thank you. I guess, with Sara in disaster relief, it is always in grieving that you arrive at your new homes?
Strength to you as you wean yourself away from this place that has been your home for some time.
Hugs from London
Sunshine xx
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