Friday, March 31, 2023

In Battle Ink

Before her, I just dreamed
of a home with a phone and books
of my own—

poems birthed of free minds
journeying out of this world,
stories written in battle ink
that rejects all irrational nos.

Then we met, through the strangeness
of May snow in New York City;

her torch banished shadows I thought
eternal, showed me books, showed me
a home and a phone are not dreams
but necessities. She taught me
how to see through
written eyes and hearts—the best,
the wisest, the most loyal friends
any thinking girl can have.

After I got to know her, I began
to craft ideas
that can’t be crushed, stolen, or erased,
thoughts that are bigger than any dream

ever was.

- I spent some time listening to a group of people, who emigrated from developing nations, describe their thoughts and feelings about arriving in the United States. Hearing about their experiences made me think of my own.

- for Poets and Storytellers United--Friday Writings #70: Discovery.

35 comments:

  1. I don't imagine most folks consider life in our country from the 'immigrant's perspective' ~ you have, beautifully. Cheers Magaly! Happy Spring.

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  2. That torch dims and brightens, brightens and dims over time. When books and phones become more than a dream, they are all the more appreciated.

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    1. I completely agree, Penelope. It won't stay bright until everyone gets the same rights and treatment. One day...

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  3. I love this poem through the immigrant's eyes. You appreciate everything more ....a good thing for inner peace.

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    1. I think that when you start with less, appreciating more is a tad easier (well, for some of us... since I've seen many cases when this isn't totally true).

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  4. Hi. This is an amazing account. I am always so impressed with your writing. I hope all is well with you. Sending much love.

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    1. Thank you! All is as well as it can be, and perhaps a bit better because spring is here. I hope all is well, with you too. 🖤

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  5. Stories written in battle ink - this line bleeds. Friends teach us a lot. Support us. Hold us when we are breaking. And giving us directions in times when we are blinded by irrationalities or stumbling at crossroads.

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  6. We don't know the goodies until we are helped.
    Rescued by a snowfall in NYC!! I was fescued in Lincoln, Nebraska once by a lonely Thanksgiving. A story there, I don't tell.

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  7. I like the libery statue reference and the perspective. Very interested to know if the whole group shared your positive experience of discovering freedom and opportunity? This poem has evoked a lot of thoughts.

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    1. Not all of us shared the same perspective, not even closed. Some think there should be more, some are straight up upset, but the majority of us have come to the realization that it is best to appreciate what we have and keep trying for the rest.

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  8. Fabulous poem! My two favourite images --

    "stories written in battle ink / that rejects all irrational nos."

    "her torch banished shadows I thought / eternal"

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  9. Replies
    1. I'm glad you feel it so. It felt wonderful to write it.

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  10. I find it sad to think of phones as being "necessities" even for speciific purposes people might have. Traditional phones (before voice mail and other fancy electronics) were a great nuisance. I found a voice-mail-only phone line useful, and thought cell phones were valuable before the greedy companies started the current push to replace them with what I call STUPIDphones...but certainly not a "necessity"! My neighborhood is now moving beyond the phone era. I don't have a phone and have to walk a few miles to find one. By choice. So the idea of people being so dependent on a gadget that they'd let a harmful device be thrust upon them seems very sad.

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    1. I used to work in a telecommunication company repairing faulty land lines. The penetration rate is very high, almost every household has one (that was before mobile phones became widespread). Businesses find it necessary. They will scream if we can't repair it in time. There are those who will check on their elderly parents at home while working, through calling or cctv. Police used it to check on supervisees to make sure they do not breach curfews. It is a useful tool in case of emergencies. But I do agree with you that mobile phones now do indeed take up much of our time.

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    2. @dsnake1, I couldn't have said it better.

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  11. How life enriching to have loyal friends, who can help us see through
    written eyes and hearts! Beautiful poem, Maga.

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  12. And this immigrant went on to serve her country. :)

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  13. Beautifully written.
    I enjoyed reading your poem.

    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan
    https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/

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  14. “ stories written in battle ink”

    This line really stood out for me. Wonderful writing, Magaly!

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  15. (Sara McNulty)

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  16. Oh this is such a powerfully haunting, yet comforting piece XXX

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  17. I thought for sure I had commented on this amazing piece! It's funny how even if dreams aren't quite what we imagined, they sometimes end up as being more. I love all the "more" in your piece, and how the excitement remains undiminished by small minds who have forgotten how to dream.

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    1. May our minds remain ever-growing... and dreamy.

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