Thursday, June 9, 2016

To a daughter by the lighthouse

Dry your victim's tears
I walk with you in this journey
You are
more than what they say you are
more than what you think you are

Feel your heartbeat
You are
born with survivor's spirit
A lighthouse to all those lost boats

Know that your cross is also my cross
And your scars will be beautifully shaped
Like deep thick roots of an oak tree
Some seasons, you will overflow with flowers
Some seasons, you will be empty of fruits
But you will keep on walking 

Even when some words are stones
Lingering sharp long after 
everyone have cast their judgments
Some words will be seeds
blooming even when you are not aware of it
They will be fuel and fire
Wind and thunderstorms
For your other sisters and brothers 
Be strong with your voice

Your children need to hear it-
Your partner needs to hear it-
Follow that instinct
Like the creatures of the earth

Who knows when its time to go or stay
When its time to be fight or give up
Keep yourself hungry for sunsets 
Thirsty for adventures & road trips
Don't you realize by now

You are more than 5 letters
A rib-maker, formed by your own hands-





Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - OpenLinkNight - Hosted by Bjorn Rudberg

My thoughts upon reading the rape victim's powerful letter here  when her accuser, an ex-Stanford university swimmer, was sentenced to only 6 months of prison.

34 comments:

  1. This is so strong... it's sad what humans can do, and generally I feel an aversion to punishments, and I hope he is punished by the shame.. I just hope someone can blow life back and heal those scars.

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  2. Even when some words are stones
    Lingering sharp long after
    everyone have cast their judgments
    Some words will be seeds
    blooming even when you are not aware of it

    Beautifully wise, Grace.

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  3. Wow, Grace. This gave me the chills and when I read to whom it was addressed, even more so. Such a travesty of justice. I have been horrified by it. I loved these lines:
    "And your scars will be beautifully shaped
    Like deep thick roots of an oak tree"

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  4. When I started reading, I hoped so much it was for her. What a gorgeous and strong job you did of this.
    Don't you realize by now
    You are more than 5 letters
    A rib-maker, formed by your own hands-
    Such strong powerful words. I hope she reads this. I hope someone has already told her.

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  5. Your passionate plea for acceptance after the travesty in the courts, is strong & touching. It is often to take the first stand, or speak the first word relative to the inequities of corrupt justice. I like the line /keep yourself hungry for sunsets/.

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  6. It is often "the poets who need" to take... fingers cannot keep up with thoughts.

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  7. As an abuse survivor, this poem hits me, very hard. Right now, my eyes are tearing up, having read this. Especially, after the sentence that was giving, in the Maple Leafs Garden case, this morning, of 6 years, for 18 lives damaged.

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  8. Wow, this is a powerful, inspiring work.. I loved and admired this. Thanks.

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  9. A tough topic I rarely can talk about. Really feeling for that girl today and I like sharing that burden with other ladies who understand why this matters-

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  10. This is so beautifully strong. I read her words too and they blew me away. She has such strength. Your response is simply stunning.

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  11. I was just reading about this judgment earlier today. I love your poem. It will live in that inner space from which strength is regenerated, justice prevails, and love heals. Potent and empowering.

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  12. This is such a powerful poem, Grace. I really admire how you compare words to seeds. A nice idea.

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  13. Wow. Great poem and so many lines jumped out of me, but I must say the third stanza is my favorite. Especially these lines: "Some seasons, you will overflow with flowers/Some seasons, you will be empty of fruits/But you will keep on walking"

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  14. Know that your cross is also my cross... to give that kind of support is beautiful and to receive it so blessed.

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  15. "Keep yourself hungry for sunsets" -- one of so many beautiful lines.

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  16. It's possible for poetry to serve several masters. Art and community aren't so separate houses, but their lighthouses are distinct. When writing poems as direct communications, I've found that art tables its grander motives and attempts to speak in the most human language. I find that here, all the way up to the final line which is able to bring both art and community together. A fine warm hand of welcome extended here.

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  17. It is pitiful that the victim is victimized many times just because a judge sympathized with the perpetrator's future. Not forgetting he himself had thrown his future to the winds. He should be dealt with like any other rapist!

    Hank

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  18. A hunger for sunset -- brilliant. I shall remember that wisdom.

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  19. Thank you for speaking for her.

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  20. Such a timely piece. That story angers me so much, and the father of the rapist is no better than his son (which is probably why the son ended up like he did).

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  21. Should have threw him in a dark hole. Great words indeed, much more life to live.

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  22. Thank you, Grace. For this remarkable post. I'd not read the letter -- simply heard about the case and the letter and the response across the country. Thank you for your poem -- and for the link. I've now read the letter, in its entirety. You are but one more lighthouse, Grace...standing resolute, understanding the dignity of life. Thank you.

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  23. Wow. Yes, chills. I am glad I read her incredibly eloquent statement first, before the poem. LOVE what she says about lighthouses just standing there, shining. Whew. And now to your poem: which is absolutely moving and inspiring and deep, powerful, beautiful, compassionate and true. I hope you find a way to send it to her. Wonderful, Grace. This is my Poem of the Week, for sure.

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  24. "Some words will be seeds
    blooming even when you are not aware of it"

    Powerful write Grace. Those two lines above - for goof or for ill - are excruciatingly true.

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  25. Powerful words Grace. Thank you for spreading her light.
    Anna

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  26. so heartbreaking...in our country this happens round the clock.. suffocating...and it's so important to be "A lighthouse to all those lost boats" in a man's world...this poem shines Grace...

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  27. beautiful words. i can only wish strength upon the young lady.

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  28. So, so many women failed by the 'Justice System'. Too many. It's terrible. A wonderful supportive poem.

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  29. This is so powerful. I knew instantly who this was for. I am saddened and disappointed by humanity almost constantly, so it's comforting to see empathy communicated in this manner.

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  30. Spot on Grace. The worst of it was the rape and the best of it was her rapist being discovered and held by men who knew the difference of consensual and rape.

    Her 12 page letter and comment read while facing her attacker was extraordinary, absolutely so.

    Research the damn judge. Especially his 2002 bio he wrote for the League of Women Voters, a fucking lying hypocrite.

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  31. What a powerful writeup, Grace! Glad you wrote this, she needs all the support she can get, virtually and otherwise. It's horrifying what she had to go through, and more so that the rapist got away with a light sentence.

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