I agree with the sentiments of the first two posters. I am moved, also, by the inclusion of the cat--the witness--the cat who sees the fire and looks with compassion at the people who are trapped, but must leap away. What a profound and wrenching poem and elegy.
I didn't see a way out, like all the victims in that fire didn't find any way out. But I hope a poem works harder than our reality and offers the condolences too late. Thank you, Frances.
I am there, I feel the terror, and am grateful for the grace of the other side. That you are able to take your mind to that place and then describe what it might have been like to be there astonishes me and awakens me from my desensitized state.
I know that there is no other side, or just the other side of injury and grief. But I refuse to believe that reality is just reality, those people deserve better than that, and we as a society have been looking away from that.
Yes. We look away before the horrific event, when the community could work at preventing it--sending inspectors in to the buildings on a regular basis, meeting the landlords to make sure they are conforming to safety protocols, and also, checking on the residents, who are often so very poor, living where they can, trying to do the best they can. Khai Don, are you a Buddhist? What does your religion ask of us?
All the elements you mentioned were ignored because it was paid up by the owner for corrupted office. That was why the tragedy was more tragic, it was preventable in many ways yet it happened.
My family is Buddhist, I don't pray, I just read and justify life through the teach of Buddhism. The teaching has helped assured and cared for me through difficult times, but no matter how wise the teaching is, it can't help me justify the impunity of corrupted power that caused drastic consequences for people living in difficult situations like this.
I agree with the sentiments of the first two posters. I am moved, also, by the inclusion of the cat--the witness--the cat who sees the fire and looks with compassion at the people who are trapped, but must leap away. What a profound and wrenching poem and elegy.
I didn't see a way out, like all the victims in that fire didn't find any way out. But I hope a poem works harder than our reality and offers the condolences too late. Thank you, Frances.
I am there, I feel the terror, and am grateful for the grace of the other side. That you are able to take your mind to that place and then describe what it might have been like to be there astonishes me and awakens me from my desensitized state.
I know that there is no other side, or just the other side of injury and grief. But I refuse to believe that reality is just reality, those people deserve better than that, and we as a society have been looking away from that.
Yes. We look away before the horrific event, when the community could work at preventing it--sending inspectors in to the buildings on a regular basis, meeting the landlords to make sure they are conforming to safety protocols, and also, checking on the residents, who are often so very poor, living where they can, trying to do the best they can. Khai Don, are you a Buddhist? What does your religion ask of us?
All the elements you mentioned were ignored because it was paid up by the owner for corrupted office. That was why the tragedy was more tragic, it was preventable in many ways yet it happened.
My family is Buddhist, I don't pray, I just read and justify life through the teach of Buddhism. The teaching has helped assured and cared for me through difficult times, but no matter how wise the teaching is, it can't help me justify the impunity of corrupted power that caused drastic consequences for people living in difficult situations like this.
For me this line is the ember that sparks this poem: "we are curling in the smothering hole "
Thank you Birgitte for sharing this moment with me.