18 Comments
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Rosemary Nissen-Wade's avatar

Wow! That's one heck of a poem, Rajani. And the others you mention ... how come you know of their existence and where to read them, and I didn't until reading this? I had no notion about them at all. But it makes sense, of course, that the poets caught up so closely in this horror should be writing such things.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thank you, Rosemary. The other poems have been frequently shared by people on Instagram/ X over the last year.

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Rosemary Nissen-Wade's avatar

Ah. I deleted my X (then twitter) account many years ago, and lately have not been on Instagram very much (though I intend to rectify that in the new year).

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Sherry Marr's avatar

Wow. This says it all as clearly and painfully as it can be said. If only the whole world could read it, weep, and demand that the madness stop. There is only rubble left in Gaza. What is there left to bomb? I had not known of these poems either. Where do we find them? Thanks for sharing them.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thank you, Sherry. If only.

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Jeet Bhattachariya's avatar

This is really good. The universe has turned a blind eye to the sufferings of innocent. Everywhere.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

So true. Glad you liked this, Jeet. Thank you.

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David Kirkby's avatar

Your voice needs to be heard…..

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thank you...I hope to connect with more poets and readers here on Substack.

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Joao Coimbra | Poetry's avatar

A resonant poem about how we process these atrocities and how we can repair it with hope. Also thank you Rajani for the lines you shared in the introduction from the other poems.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thanks for reading, Joao. It is hard but I think one must hold on to the hope that humanity will endure and shine in the end.

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Joao Coimbra | Poetry's avatar

I guess it’s one of our redeeming qualities.

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Yacoob's avatar

Lovely poem, like so many others born out of these stark times. If you have a moment, please check out this anthology put together by a poetry collective on the topic:

https://open.substack.com/pub/pagesoflife/p/weaving-words-of-witness-threads?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2q4ljw

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thank you. Will definitely check it out.

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Mariana's avatar

Thanks for sharing these poems. I am the generation before Instagram. I got poems from people saying them, reading them, and singing them. The line that touched me m0o

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thanks for reading, Mariana. Your comment has been cut off mid-sentence...would love to hear the rest of your thoughts. :)

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Mariana's avatar

The line that resonated with me most was "Come back, / Just come back…"

I believe the universe is not hostile. I think mankind needs to take responsibility.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

I agree...we need to stand up, own what is wrong and find kindness...what a beautiful world kindness can make. Thank you, Mariana.

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