In The Face Of Disaster

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People and places evoke sweet, sometimes bittersweet recollections. The poem is to my Ukrainian Canadian mom who long ago passed away. Her memory was made more poignant recently by the disaster that struck her homeland. The Poets and Storytellers prompt "in the face of disaster" got me thinking that a key to winning a fight you know is right is the belief that justice overcomes. When the battle is darkest, support of all sorts are like "teddy bears" amid chaos. Alongside bullets and blankets, some send cash, if they've any to spare, or prayers through time and space and light candles. 

We are now into the second year of this current catastrophic struggle where many have died. However, the second candle, unrelated to Ukraine, is for a writer I just now discovered at dVerse Poets has passed away and whom I want to acknowledge. 
     
Meanwhile, in my world, Frosty seemed a bit weary of the on again off again snow.


Crescent Beach beckoned as I've not taken walks there for a while. I'm both excited and hesitant about returning to the place where I fell. Until I do, I have hundreds of old photos to look at. Here's one at high tide taken I think near this time of year.
Explore more at Poets and Storytellers United, SKYWATCH and Shadow Shot Sunday. 


Because the state of our planet is the most pressing issue of our time, link up and learn about the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.

HOLD ONTO THE LIGHT

Comments

  1. Spare Parts and PicsMarch 2, 2023 at 2:12 PM

    The photo of the clouds over Crescent Beach is a beauty! Frosty looks a bit worn out :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yogi♪♪♪March 2, 2023 at 2:36 PM

    Crescent beach looks beautiful. It's understandable to be hesitant. I still pause on my bike rides where another rider crossed the centerline and hit me head on a couple years ago.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JocelynMarch 2, 2023 at 3:10 PM

    Lovely puffy clouds.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JimMarch 2, 2023 at 5:24 PM

    Serious bunch of clouds.

    ReplyDelete
  5. NKHMarch 2, 2023 at 8:36 PM

    Its been clear from past 3 months here in Bengaluru. waiting for thunderstorm season to begin when I see clouds

    ReplyDelete
  6. MarjaMarch 2, 2023 at 11:09 PM

    Beautiful photos and we are exactly on the same line. People are more compassionate in the face of disaster. I absolutely love your gorgeous poem.

    ReplyDelete
  7. eileeninmdMarch 3, 2023 at 2:08 AM

    Hello,
    I love the poem, my prayers continue for Ukraine! The Crescent Beach photo is lovely, what a beautiful spot for a walk. Frosty seems to be hanging in there. Spring is coming. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. scotthastiepoetMarch 3, 2023 at 8:20 AM

    I enjoyed your new piece of writing,m especially resonating with the idea of energies and emotions re-visited and reborn...I also very much appreciate your commitment to the natural world... Bravo! I'll be back for more...

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 3, 2023 at 8:22 AM

    As I said on d'Verse, I very much enjoyed absorbing all this sensitive work...

    ReplyDelete
  10. colleenMarch 3, 2023 at 9:22 AM

    A fight you know is right... I have to believe love and truth prevail in the end. But I still need a teddy bear! Glad your break has mended.

    ReplyDelete
  11. carol l mckennaMarch 3, 2023 at 1:40 PM

    Wonderful tribute to your Mom and the Ukraine ~ lovely words and photos ~ you are a treasure ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rosemary Nissen-WadeMarch 3, 2023 at 2:23 PM

    The absolute determination of the Ukranians in this situation is awe-inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  13. lillianMarch 3, 2023 at 3:52 PM

    Thank you for posting in this OLN Memoriam to Glenn Buttkus (https://dversepoets.com) - and for lighting a candle for him. dVerse is such a caring community of poets from around the globe. This news hit hard. So many have expressed their care for Glenn....and their grief at losing him. His words are his legacy and many are sharing new poems, attempting to write in his style; or posting a poem dedicated to Glenn. His was a powerful voice.
    Again, so glad you posted today.

    ReplyDelete
  14. peppylady (Dora)March 3, 2023 at 5:33 PM

    Mr Snowman looks lonely.
    I also took part in sky watch, if you time stop over for a cup of coffee

    ReplyDelete
  15. MargaretMarch 3, 2023 at 6:42 PM

    worn and reborn. SIGH

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousMarch 3, 2023 at 9:00 PM

    I love teddy, your pics and I pray for the Ukraine...Slava Ukraine !

    ReplyDelete
  17. RajaniMarch 4, 2023 at 12:33 AM

    Glenn was such an evocative writer. RIP. I don't post on Dverse any more but I remember his work very well.

    ReplyDelete
  18. GraceMarch 4, 2023 at 4:48 AM

    Such a precious childhood memory. Also thanks for your tribute to Glenn over at dVerse Poets pub.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Magaly GuerreroMarch 4, 2023 at 5:05 AM

    Memory is a powerful companion. The same goes for symbols that bring warmth and more. So much is gained when we remember that even after things fall apart, we can find ways to put them (and us) together.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AlanaMarch 4, 2023 at 8:55 AM

    My mother's parents came from a town in then Austria-Hungary, now Poland. My father's parents came from a city now part of Belarus. It may have been part of Ukraine briefly during or right after World War I. So I feel a connection to an area of the world I have never been to. I don't have personal memories but in a way seeing the suffering of the people of Ukraine hits me. I can only hope that some justice eventually comes out of this horror. Your last photo has beautiful clouds in it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. JimMarch 4, 2023 at 6:21 PM

    Thanks for the heads up on Glen, I am sorry to hear of hiss death also. I haven't read much but Penelope of here let me know. One never knows about the medical world; the cure might be worse than the beginning. I came home from the ER early Friday morning, and I hurt really bad still. People die from injured, pierced colons, even from colonoscopies. I had another situation but was screaming through the doc's "fix".
    ..

    ReplyDelete
  22. JimMarch 4, 2023 at 7:53 PM

    I like your poor old snowman; he's been through several melting days. He must be careful, or he might fall now that he is aging. I am glad for the heads up on Glenn's death. Also, I feel sooo sorry for those Ukrainians. We visited back in 2013, it was very beautiful, spending two days.
    ..
    ..

    ReplyDelete
  23. Shiju SugunanMarch 5, 2023 at 3:00 AM

    I love the poem! Beautiful photos, I like the cloudy sky shot.

    ReplyDelete
  24. brudbergMarch 5, 2023 at 7:53 AM

    I love the thought of the teddy bear as a companion... so many sad things happen these days.

    ReplyDelete

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