Wednesday, November 03, 2021

Gratiku Day Three

 

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:

Tabatha said...

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

Karen Eastlund said...

I love this. A mess can inspire and it can be cleaned up. Thanks!

GretchenJoanna said...

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.

Michelle Kogan said...

I like your post and Gratiku has a nice sound/textural feel, yes keep going, thanks Ruth!

Margaret Simon said...

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.