Friday, October 14, 2016

Poetry Friday: Blessing for the Brokenhearted

We in Haiti are brokenhearted right now.  When you love, whether it's a person or a place, there's always the risk of a broken heart.  We are so sad to see the suffering in the south of the country brought by Hurricane Matthew.  Here's one article; you can find many more.  And here's something I wrote earlier this week about how it's hitting us here in Port-au-Prince, where Matthew didn't do much damage.

In this poem, Jan Richardson is talking about losing her husband, but there are many ways hearts get broken.

A Blessing for the Brokenhearted
There is no remedy for love but to love more.
– Henry David Thoreau

Let us agree
for now
that we will not say
the breaking
makes us stronger
or that it is better
to have this pain
than to have done
without this love.

Here's the rest.

The incomparable Irene has the roundup today.

9 comments:

Linda B said...

"as if it were made for precisely this" - sorrowful, but true? I have given support for your country, Ruth, hoping that aid continues to come and help those who are devastated. Hugs to you, too. Thanks for this poem. It connects on several levels as you said.

Violet N. said...

Hi Ruth, Jan Richardson always seems to find the right profound thing to say in times when words can so easily be cliche, even annoying. I feel so sad for Haiti (and other places that were ravaged by this storm). It's sadness upon sadness. Thanks for sharing this poem. I'm going to bookmark it for future reference.

mbhmaine said...

My heart aches for Haiti and all the suffering there. Thank you for sharing this beautiful, powerful poem by Jan Richardson.

Jane @ www.raincitylibrarian.ca said...

Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Irene Latham said...

Dear Ruth, you have been on my mind! Heartbreaking indeed... how can there be so much suffering in a world that is so beautiful? Thank you for shining your brilliant light and sharing your heart (and country) with us. xo

Anonymous said...

Thank-you for sharing this, and the link to your earlier blog, Ruth. Your writing is so honest. Your song mid-week, and your poem today, are both such an... encouragement? Or a breath?

A blessing for the Brokenhearted is truly, truly beautiful. I heard from a distant cousin's wife yesterday. I haven't met her. Only met the distant cousin once - and corresponded for the past 5 years. He had elective surgery go terribly wrong end of September, but I didn't know of the complications until his wife emailed yesterday, to let his email contacts know that he had passed away. The day before his first grandchild was born. Such terribly, shocking news. I will share this poem with his family... It almost could have been written for them.

Tara said...

That last verse is so haunting...thinking of you and Haiti, Ruth.

Brenda at FriendlyFairyTales said...

I am brokenhearted after reading your post, following your links, and seeing that the true cost of this storm will continue to be paid as food will be scarce for a long time. That poem is so true, in the darkest times, we have only our own heartbeat to anchor us and soothe us with its lullaby. I am heartsore, now, and sending prayers toward Haiti and you. We are all in God's hands, all of us part of the universe, speaking with a voice that echoes all other voices.

Tabatha said...

Got me right in the old tear ducts, Ruth. xo