Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Remember And Change




Dad,
I don't want to write about spring,
flowers blooming,
touching my skin,
making my spirits rejoice.
Dad,
I don't wish to write about egrets 
flying into my yard,
celebrating glorious blue skies.
Dad,
I want to write about hunger and pain,
about a dark time,
when the sun did not shine for you 
and for others.
A time when your belly was empty
and your eyes witnessed 
horrors that remained with you
till the day you died.
I don't want to be gentle or soft,
I want to awaken souls.
I want the world to remember,
humanity at it's worst.
I want them to know
 that you did not
let it define you.
You were a survivor,
a champion ,
that fought for other people's rights .
Your heart open and your mind
filled with dreams.
You wrote beautiful words,
soaring above the pain and horror.
Dad,
I want them to remember ,
the people that perished,
the people that did not
get to go home and build
a new life,
I want the world to remember. 





Holocaust Memorial  Day was this week. I wrote a poem called, "Numbers". It was dedicated for all those that perished and the survivors. I know it's not a popular subject with some but so important to remember. 
There are crimes against humanity happening at different parts of the world even though we have come a long way, or have we? I recommend this article by my friend Belinda Munoz http://thehalfwaypoint.net/2013/03/a-place-powered-by-love/ . Compassion for others and their struggles is essential . We are all connected. Please join us here, http://dversepoets.com/ where we share our thoughts and our hearts. 
 

83 comments:

  1. touched my heart...and i love that he didn't let the horrors define him..your dad sounds like a wonderful man.. watched the holocaust memorial reports on tv yesterday...we must to make sure that something like this never happens again

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    1. Thank you, Claudia. My dad was an amazing me :) I miss him so much. We have to remember so history does not repeat itself.

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  2. Another stiring one, as yeah surely should never forget.

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  3. mmm...it is good that we dont let people forget...not the event but also that there are those that were survivors and did not let ti define them....takes a strong person to do that...nicely written....

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  4. Powerful and courage prose and people, Ayala. I love the echoes of determination and resilience in your poem. Thinking of you. xoxo

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  5. We shouldn't forget those times and scars ~ Yet another reminder that until now, specially in war torn countries, there are still people suffering from the horrors of inhuman acts ~

    Thanks for sharing this with us Ayala ~ You honor your father as well as all those who suffered & died ~

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    1. Thank you, Grace. Your comment touched my heart, I am honored to be able to do this.

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  6. A touching remembrance, ...heartfelt..thank you for sharing.

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  7. It must never be forgotten. Great words.

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  8. Your dad must have been a strong and kind man. And I am sure he would be happy that he made such an impact on your life; and I am sure he also impacted other lives as well. We def should never forget.

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  9. This just made me cry. So moving Mary, when I come here you either make me laugh or you stir up some tears- mark of good poetry if you ask me ;)

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  10. Wow. It's of these things that I lack conception. Poetically, you never skipped a beat.

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  11. You're so right...something that should always be remembered. What a strong father you had...amazing tribute Ayala!

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  12. Wonderful Ayala. My dad died in WWII--69 years ago yesterday. We have models to look up to.

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    1. I think of you every time I write about World War II. So sorry.

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  13. A strong piece and wonderful memorial. A great use of poetry to express remembrance!

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  14. Not only a beautiful tribute...not even ONLY a memorial, that we remember (I DO!), but your post is a fine reminder that this happens over and over on a smaller scale. (Scale is smaller, unless *I* am on it...)

    You write also for us a WARNING, that the same horrible atrocities could well happen again, if the world stops remembering, stops caring, and stops loving and praying.
    Thank you Ayala!

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    1. Thank you, Steve. So many crimes against humanity still happening right now and I just feel despair sometimes that it continues on and on.

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  15. Ayala, people should never forget that part of history, as history could very well repeat itself. Strong write.

    Pamela

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  16. So many horrors in that war, so many unspeakable events. You would have thought mankind would learn. There always seems to be someone who wants power at any cost, and will stop at nothing, even killing innocents to get there. A powerful and thought-provoking piece, Ayala.

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    1. Thank you, Ginny. Mankind did not learn...

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  17. Remembering with you. This is heartfelt and brought tears to my eyes. xoxo

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  18. very powerful and a wonderful to bring attention to the current problems we still face as a global community. send my peace ~ Rose

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  19. Thanks for bringing this day to our attention in the form of a poem.

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  20. Poignant. It makes me feel and think about my late father and what he gave up by fighting in WWII.

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    1. Thank you, Colleen. I am sure you are very proud of him.

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  21. Heartfelt and honest. There is a sad yet beautiful truth at the centre of such a life.

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  22. Ayala, this poem goes straight to my heart. Too many fill their heads with forgetfulness or don't stop to learn.

    Last night I saw a Frontline about Syria that will make me remember the pain and death that war brings, and revolution, etc.

    Thank you for this evocative poem. We need to remember regardless of national borders.

    Lady Nyo

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    1. Thank you, Jane. I am honored that it touched you so.
      Hugs.

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  23. The approach that you took to this and the way you structured the poem are just brilliant. Really effective work, Ayala.

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  24. The contrast between the subjects you said you didn't want to write about and the ones you chose to pursue makes your memorial to your father all the more powerful. Very well done.

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  25. This was gorgeous, ayala. Maybe that's not the right word, but it seems to fit (for me). Yes, we are so quick to put the past behind us and yet, each and every day, somewhere in the world people are committing heinous crimes...and the cycle continues...if only we would remember and feel the pain of those who lived through those horrors...because I fear we never learn...

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    1. So sad that the cycle continues..we must not let it. Thank you so much.

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  26. Ayala, incredible poem--powerful and beautiful all at once. I remember when I found out about the Holocaust, could not believe that anything that horrific could have happened, but it did and it does--genocide is so soul-breakingly sad. Thank you for this, and for reminding all of us, we are connected. It's one of my core beliefs. <3

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    1. Thank you, Sara. It's hard to believe but unfortunately it did happen....

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  27. We/everyone has to remember the Holocaust and also so many others/women etc so we keep ensuring this cannot happen and that things can always improve. And then we can appreciate the flowers, right?

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  28. "I want the world to remember" -

    such terribly important feelings for our lives

    to remember the people, and the events and world we live in...

    thanks so much ayala

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  29. What an important post Ayala. I found this to be very very touching and moving.

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    1. Thank you, Keith. It was an important write for me.

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  30. I was taken by every precise, important word, taken by the your father's experience, expressed through your beautiful prose. Thank you.

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    1. Sometimes I think about all the stories told to me..and the words pour out. Thank you.

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  31. Crying. But in a good, beautiful way.

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  32. Ayala - this is wonderful. So touching, and important.

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  33. poignant painful lines written in such beutiful manner ... kudos to you dear lady. :)

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  34. Yes, it is so important to remember! For all those who survived and all the lost souls who did not~ We should never forget!~

    This is so sad, haunting and touching! :D

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    1. Thank you, Ella. Yes we shall never forget.

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  35. This is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to your Dad & so very well written. Your Dad would be proud, especially seeing as he also liked to write beautiful words. A very powerful poem with a very important message for everyone. Never, ever forget!!

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    1. Thank you, Katherine . I hope he is watching me from heaven and yes we must always remember .

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  36. Ayala - this moves me tremendously. I am married to one whose relatives were killed in the holocaust. Interestingly, I have been given a duty within my own poetry or writing to explore and discuss war.

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  37. You have honored your father and every person impacted by the unimaginable horrors of the holocost. We can't afford to forget.

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  38. "I don't want to be gentle or soft,
    I want to awaken souls" accomplished I think.

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  39. "...I don't want to be gentle or soft,
    I want to awaken souls.
    I want the world to remember,
    humanity at it's worst.
    I want them to know..."

    Life is not always pretty, and unfortunately Life likes to give little reminders of that fact.

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  40. This is beautiful, and this poem of remembrance (along with your other poem, "Numbers") is almost chilling in light of what happened last week in Boston. I guess there are always people who want to kill and destroy. A part of the remembrance is honoring those who fight against those evils, in all kinds of ways...

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  41. Your poems are very haunting and profound. What a wonderful tribute to your dad.

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