Today I'm grateful that broken things often still function, that there are work-arounds, that shiny perfection isn't the only way to be. In Haiti people say degaje pa peche, meaning, making do isn't a sin. The degaje mentality is an important part of Haitian culture. People don't give up just because they've tried to achieve their goal in the regular way and haven't been successful. They keep trying and trying. A hashtag making the rounds on Haitian social media is the Kreyol/English hybrid #napkeepgoing. We're keeping going. We're not giving up.
Flush with a bucket
Light a candle to read by
Broken heart still pumps
Birdtober? Gratiku? What's up with me and these made-up words
and daily posting? Well, I've learned that a tiny little burst of
creativity each day helps keep me going, stops me from being entirely
fixated on the mess. That's why I post daily photos on Facebook. And
that's why I'm doing these writing projects. This one is a daily haiku
about something I'm thankful for. (A gratitude haiku - get it?) As long
as the internet keeps working, I'm going to try to post one every day in
November.
5 comments:
I love the Imperfect-honoring-ness of your post, Ruth. Wonderful haiku.
Made me think of Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer:
hope gets a flat tire—
the stubborn heart
starts walking
I love this. A mess can inspire and it can be cleaned up. Thanks!
I love that haiku.
Haiti is nearly a complete unknown to me. I want to learn about the country here on your blog. Just this one post expresses the heart and poetry of a people so evocatively.
I like your post and Gratiku has a nice sound/textural feel, yes keep going, thanks Ruth!
This poem is just right. I feel like it's life after a hurricane. I can't imagine it as life every day. Your gratitude is inspiring.
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