Saturday 19 November 2016

On The Edge Of Tears (November 19, 2016)

We look
At the future
With rose coloured
Glasses.

Dreaming
Of an emerging world
Filled with love
And compassion.

Knowing
Our past is
One filled
With extreme prejudice
And violence.

For too many
Of our brothers
And sisters
Have paid
In their lives.

Whether
At the hands 
Of family members
Or complete strangers.

Something
I know
All too well.

Having experienced
Traumatic events
From both.

Almost 
Costing me
My life.

Sitting here
Fighting back
The tears.

Threatening
To unleash
An emotional tsunami
Upon my soul. 

Knowing
Tomorrow is
November 20th
Day of Trans-Remembrance.

Which
My community
Remembers those
Were murdered.

Or driven
To their deaths.

Praying
It's the last time
We must gather
And read off 
New names.

Therisa © 2016

Author's note: Around the world, the Trans-community will be observing Day of Trans-Remembrance, on November 20th, for our brothers and sisters, who died, at the hands of others. In Toronto, The 519 will marking this event, from 4-8 pm, at 519 Church St., Toronto, Ontario.

11 comments:

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Therisa, this poem hits home to me, too, very strongly. I have just spent a couple of hours typing out the story of a lifelong friend of mine who was gay, tormented during high school, gay-bashed as an adult, no charges pressed though he could identify his attacker.....he wound up giving up and committed suicide and it hit me so hard. He was such a wonderful person, and struggled so much simply trying to live his life being who he was. Thank you for this poem, which raises awareness of the hard struggle people have in this world. Given what is going on down south which seems to be filtering up to Canada, though on a much smaller scale, I am afraid all of us are in for some hard years, especially those most vulnerable to the climate of division that is being encouraged by those who should be an example of the exact opposite.I grow weary at seeing us set back seventy years overnight and truly cant believe it is being allowed to happen.

Buddah Moskowitz said...

Yes, may we grow in love and compassion for those who are discriminated against because of their diversity. My support and love are with you.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

So sad, dreaming of the world of compassion most of us want, in the middle of the one we are living now. We must keep dreaming though.

Ostensible Truth said...

so poignant and sharp ~ this seems to be an unfortunate recurring aspect of our human development through the ages

Dreaming
Of an emerging world
Filled with love
And compassion.

Knowing
Our past is
One filled
With extreme prejudice
And violence.

Anonymous said...

Sadly our past is littered with such crimes against one another...where to put our energies?...into love...it can be the only way forward.

Grace said...

How sad to drive them to death ~ Hopefully in the future, the last of these days ~

Frank Hubeny said...

Best wishes. I hope the prejudice and violence end.

Ginny Brannan said...

The hatred, the prejudices, the ignorance of some who will never understand. It saddens me. Hugs to you.

brudberg said...

If just the world was one of acceptance.. sometimes I wonder how much is really hate, and how much is fear

Sanaa Rizvi said...

This is so sad :(

C.C. said...

The last few lines really hit home with the importance of this. Thank you for your words.

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