Wildflowers emerge
fighting stone, defying odds
hope springs eternal.
We live together
in this vast global village.
Harm one, affect all.
Half a world away
horrors on the evening news
shocking our senses.
Oceans of our tears
won't bring back to life
innocent victims.
History bears proof
lessons failed are repeated.
Some fools never learn.
Just look away, dear
complacent world citizens;
chaos reigns supreme.
This week's One Deep Breath prompt is "perspective." The first haiku was inspired by a photo taken earlier this year in New Zealand by Marie-Claire Holmes. I also remembered Steve Wariner's and Henry Jarvis's 1989 song on MCA Records, The Flower that Shattered the Stone. An excerpt: "...In the hearts of the children, a pure love still grows. Like a bright star in heaven that lights our way home; like the flower that shattered the stone."
For ten haiku related to the situation in Lebanon, go here.
Thoughtful and moving verse. The flowers remind me of Lebanon. I remember a Syrian friend saying that it is paradise on earth.
Posted by: JinxTheGypsy | 27 July 2006 at 17:06
If a flower can break through a stone, then perhaps there's hope that love and light can break through stony hearts.
Thank you for such a touching post and reminding us to not look away.
Posted by: tinker | 26 July 2006 at 06:52
Beautiful picture. The haikus are great. They evoke sadness in me for the state of our world.
"Some fools never learn"
Just great, great thoughts.
Posted by: bella | 26 July 2006 at 06:17
Oh the tears this brings ... the catch in the throat. I can't bare to watch the news these days, knowing Lebanese my age have known so few years of peace in their lives.
"Some fools never learn."
Such a subtle, but pointed, comment on the American administration. Well put.
Posted by: HoBess | 25 July 2006 at 22:46
P.S. I now have two favorite reporters. Christianne Ammanpour (and I know I didn't spell that right) and Tara Bradford! These two women really rock!
Posted by: artzyjudie | 25 July 2006 at 14:37
Ah Tara. Your poem is so true. We look away, but then, what can we do? There will always be "wars and rumors of wars". It is those with authority that are so power hungry that hurt this world, or those with beliefs so strong that they must impose those beliefs on everyone. And your comments about Mr. Bush a couple of posts ago...remember it's an election year coming up. He wants his party to stay in power. He doesn't really "care". Did you know that last week, after his two terms of being in office, that he finally addressed the NAACP, finally acknowledged they exist? Sure, he doesn't want his party to lose all those votes. I believe he is a "false prophet".
I am so glad you are back and healing from your surgery. Your posts are powerful, whether they are an opinion or poetry...keep it up!
Posted by: artzyjudie | 25 July 2006 at 14:33
My god you are talented woman. Those were the most moving Haiku's I have ever read.
Posted by: krista | 25 July 2006 at 14:30
wow, profound sentiments, tara. well composed!
Posted by: ian russell | 25 July 2006 at 14:15
I always enjoy how your poetic prose is so thought provoking and thoughtful. It creates a desire in me to learn more and be more aware.
Thank you.
Posted by: Willow Grace | 25 July 2006 at 06:11
I admire how living in paris, your entries are very wold affirming and informed. I feel lazy when I read you. You are seeing things from the worlds perspective, not just the American....I envy and appluad that!
Posted by: wendy | 25 July 2006 at 05:49
Such powerful words in compact packaging! The world is really a small community. Will we NEVER learn? Every haiku you write is wonderful!
Posted by: Rebekah | 25 July 2006 at 00:51
I love that
harm one affect all
it does
Posted by: gardenpath (sandy) | 25 July 2006 at 00:51
Hope springs eternal....love your poem...thank you for the reminder that what happens in one part of the world has power on all those living in it.
Posted by: mary jane | 25 July 2006 at 00:41
Powerful, passionate and heartwrenching haiku. "lessons failed are repeated" Sad and so true!
HUGS
XXOO
Photo is beautiful!
Posted by: Tammy | 24 July 2006 at 23:51
Beautifully put.
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 24 July 2006 at 22:07
Hope springs eternal. Yes, it does.
Posted by: Josephine | 24 July 2006 at 22:00
so well done...you have a gift and I am so glad you share it with us!
Posted by: diana | 24 July 2006 at 21:46
Tara, once again you have presented priceless ideas in a beautful and thoughtful way. The power of words used in such a positive manner is extremely valuable.
"We live together in this vast gloabl village~harm one~affect all." This is so true, and so sadly forgotten.
Beautiful post - thank you for your words of wisdom.
Posted by: becca | 24 July 2006 at 20:19
Flowers do shatter stones. I've seen it. They push through rocks and concrete.
You are a flower.
xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 24 July 2006 at 18:36
Ah...yes, "hope springs eternal"- love this. Beautiful haikus!
Posted by: mikim | 24 July 2006 at 18:34
These are wonderful. You are wonderful, too. ;)
What a great line, "the flower that shattered the stone." wow.
Posted by: amber | 24 July 2006 at 18:31
Your words are so powerful!It is a shame that people are so cruel to each other! It would be so much simpler to dwell in peace! Beautiful soft flowers blossoming amongst cold, hard ,sharp rocks...it can happen! Pam...ps: Paris is off till Spring, I'll keep you posted.
Posted by: Pam ARIES | 24 July 2006 at 17:56
Harm one, affect all.....
I agree with you on all the words.
Posted by: Catalina | 24 July 2006 at 17:01
A very thoughtful and thought provoking series of haiku. The first one is beautiful and says so much in so few words. If wildflowers can shatter stones then there is hope....
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | 24 July 2006 at 16:08
Ah. Yes. A beautiful post. Thought provoking but open. I'm not fond of preachy.
Posted by: Jemima von Schindelberg | 24 July 2006 at 16:01
All wonderful haiku!
This one really spoke to me with the world situation:
"History bears proof
lessons failed are repeated.
Some fools never learn."
Posted by: Star | 24 July 2006 at 15:53
love the contrast between your first poem and the others, very good
Posted by: jennifer | 24 July 2006 at 15:46
I agree with Ally..."harm one, affect all"...says it all, doesn't it?
Posted by: Marilyn | 24 July 2006 at 14:31
Dear Tara,
I just come back Hollidays and saw this poème for life. Thanks to share Flowers shatter stone.
I didn't know it.
XXX
Claude
Posted by: claude | 24 July 2006 at 14:15
"Harm one, affect all."
a mantra for life, perhaps.
very nice post.
Posted by: ally bean | 24 July 2006 at 13:26