By Anabel Geneta-Raymundo | Featured Contributor
Author’s Note: This is a poem illustrating the situation of many of our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan.
***
Teasing. Playing. Children laughing.
Planting. Caring. Mothers preaching.
Resting. Working. Fathers sweating.
Dreaming. Relishing. People trying.
Growing. Reaching. Afghans thriving.
Living. Loving. ‘til Taliban’s coming.
Now hiding. Panicking. Borders closing.
Looking. Waiting. Others escaping.
By Cynthia Cady Stanton | Featured Contributor
You would think
that by the time we reach maturity,
we would know how
to make the way clear
for ourselves…
And yet,
the patterns continue –
the ones that
face-plant us amidst
the tangle around us.
Those frustrating weeds
of all we hang onto
have pinned us down
and left us feeling powerless.
By Carmen McKnight | Featured Contributor
The time of day to live not stray
is now.
The time of night to love not to fight
is now.
The time to open up your heart
is now.
The time to cry those tears of joy
is now.
By Kathy Ha | Featured Contributor
Does it ever end?
I’m tired of the inner turmoil
I’m tired of being anxious
the rollercoaster ride of emotions
swirling and churning within
old scars reopen
past nightmares haunt
doubt invades, fear paralyses
silent screams that no one hears
I keep building my wall
uninviting, tall and proud
but the façade is brittle
weathered by the years
I’m lost in despair
unsure of who I am
uncertain of how to change
afraid of the road ahead
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