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Neil Barker's avatar

Thought-provoking poem, Rajani. A lot of questions raised that should not (cannot?) be so easily answered. I do like the final question you pose:

"how far gone were you before you realized

you had left yourself behind?"

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thanks so much, Neil.

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Laura Catanzano's avatar

So wonderfully written.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thanks so much, Laura.

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Susan's avatar

"We normalize the bad like

we flatten crumpled paper.

Deny the wrinkles. "

In the USA, like the government ignores flood emergencies; like I float with so much of humanity praying uselessly against Israel's slaughter of the innocents; like I wallow in shame, for how the USA kidnaps and detains immigrants (legal or not). Except for words, powerless. Even with words, powerless. Looking for sites of power where I can go. Thank you for this poem.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Even with words, powerless... you speak for us all, Susan. I keep wondering why I bother writing and then I remember, that's the one thing I can do... Thanks so much.

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Delaina J. Miller's avatar

Oh my gosh Rajani, this poem is powerful, provoking, and posed perfectly to shake humanity awake from our droning dilemmas. You are a brilliant poet and I'm so grateful I get to read your words as you spread your heart open on to the page. Thank you!

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thanks so much for your kind words, Delaina. 🙏💕

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Sonia Dogra's avatar

There is a little broken boy in a broken house.

Still.

There is a girl — and a god and a grave — gathered in conversation.

Still.

There are hungry children. Ribs clear as day.

But let us play word games.

Rajani, may we have more of your tribe, to go on reminding the world to look beyond ourselves.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thanks so much, Sonia 🙏🙏

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Rebecca Cook's avatar

I was thinking along these lines....I saw a title for a book of poems--EVERYTHNG Is TERRIBLE. Then I thought of a close friend who has told me that life is grim. And I was so shocked by her words. But that's because I am generally swaddled up in my own reality instead of looking out at the world. Your poem makes us look out into the world.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thank you, Rebecca... To me, even things happening far away are now well and truly part of my personal reality because the devastating images are on my screen non-stop. Immediate. Even at this safe, comfortable distance, they are a constant reminder and a constant question. Useless to write about them, maybe, and yet we must!!

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Rosemary Nissen-Wade's avatar

I can only cry. Not that that does any good!

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

It really feels like we've hit a wall and the horrors just continue endlessly... :(

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Sherry Marr's avatar

"Everything starting with 'I'" is perhaps the root of the problem. You ask the tough questions we need to ponder.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thanks so much, Sherry :)

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James Don BlueWolf's avatar

Superb work! I love it when I can sense the theme at the beginning and then just spend the rest of the poem enjoying and appreciating the words, imagery and craft.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thanks so much, James. 🙏

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School of Blue's avatar

I feel your pain, Rajani. I have been in radio silence, away from it all but know that the suffering of the vulnerable continues unabated. Your poetry helps me to know where to put those feelings.

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Rajani Radhakrishnan's avatar

Thank you, Richard. Am grateful to have poetry...to be able to say a word or two, however meaningless...we can only hope there will be another side, a new light and new kinds of poems...soon.

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