With all the disasters that keep happening around the world, the human spirit in its resilience keeps rising again and again. This is a tribute to that human spirit!
The Cry of Haiti
1)Though the earth may shake us
and walls come tumbling down
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
*
Together we will rise to face another day
To become more than we are now
To become more than we are now
~
2)Though death surrounds us
and tears flow from our eyes
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
*
Together we will rise to face another day
To become more than we are now
To become more than we are now
~
3) Though our stomachs are empty
and sky over our heads
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
*
Together we will rise to face another day
To become more than we are now
To become more than we are now
~
4)With children dying
broken in the streets
Our hearts cry out in agony
Our hearts cry out in agony
*
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
*
Together we will rise to face another day
To become more than we are now
To become more than we are now
~
5Where are you God
in all this tragedy
How will you heal my broken soul
How will you heal my broken soul
*
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
We’re brothers and sisters in our pain
*
Together we will rise to face another day
To become more than we are now
To become more than we are now
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Ingrid asked us to consider the oral poetry, the poetry of the spoken word passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. She asked us to write a poem with that feel by speaking the verses and then writing them down. The more I thought about it, the more I kept coming back to a song I wrote in this manner, after the first devastating earthquake that hit Port O Prince a few years ago. And then again, this year, another one hit in Haiti, causing death and destruction. And now, we just had Hurricane Ida come roaring from the gulf and bringing devastation to Louisiana this week. This is a tribute to the human spirit!
Join us at: d’Verse Poets Pub https://dversepoets.com
Roth Poetry 
If we could all come together as your verses sing, we would definitely “become more than we are now” and I think it would be a coming home of sorts! 💗
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Wouldn’t that be great! Seems that is what we should be striving for instead of division!
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It’s such a simple concept, but mind boggling hard to implement!
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You you said it so very well!
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Dwight,
What lyrical power there are in these singing lines, chants of unity & affirmation, and hope for the future in chaos and pain! Just what is needed.
pax,
dora
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Thank you so much Dora. It was so sad to see the tragedy and chaos taking place in real time. I wondered what they must be thinking and feeling.
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And a fine tribute it is! It read like the folk songs you mentioned in your earlier comment. I would love to hear it set to music! And the subject matter could not be more timely: I think the best part of the human spirit shines through in such times of trouble.
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Thank you Ingrid. I hoped you wouldn’t mind that I revived a previous one for this. It just seemed to fit what you were talking about. The human spirit is amazing!
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My free Word Press site will not let me load my music or voice!
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Sorry to hear that Dwight! Some people have been recording their poems on soundcloud and linking to those, so it’s an option if you feel like adding a recording!
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I have not gotten into that. I have my songs on MP3, but they won’t load.
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Excellent, Dwight – both the painting and the song.
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Thank you so much Reena. I appreciate your comment.
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Beautiful, heartfelt poem. The help is coming from many countries.
Thank you.
Joanna
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It is so sad to see this happening. Thank you Joanna!
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Your painting is lovely. The repeating lines in your poetry makes it a good one to be read aloud
Thank you for drooping by to read mine
Much❤love
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Thank you Gillena! I am so glad you liked it. And you are welcome.
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This poem is so beautiful, and you are so inspiring!!!
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Thank you so much for your kind words!
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beautiful, dwight
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Thank you Beth!
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A lovely poem–if only we would do this. It seems so simple on paper, doesn’t it? 😀
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Yes, it seems tragedy makes us forget our petty differences and come together to get thing done. Thank you so much!
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Beautifully done, Dwight, we most effective refrains
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Thank you Derrick a song of hope for the future!
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Superb poem!I really liked this, its the best among all the poems of yours that I’ve read so far.
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Thank you so much for your kind comment! I am glad it connected with you!
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What an awesome flow of musical magic Dwight. Great message that questions our faith, humanity, and our humanitarian effort about what we can do to help instead of just shaking our heads saying how sad a situation is. We can look in our own backyard and see a crisis. We probably can’t help everyone, but this reminds me of a song we used to sing in church when I was growing up that said, “If I can help somebody, then my living isn’t in vain.” We can’t do everything, but we can do something. 💖 🤗 🙏🏼 🥰 💖
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I am glad this resonated with you Kym. In an overwhelming situation, we can only start by helping one person at a time. I liked your church song. Lots of wisdom there.
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Thanks a million Dwight and I agree that if we look at the big picture, it can be overwhelming, but if we take it in bite-size pieces, we can do a world of good. 🤗 Thanks for sharing your heartwarming message my friend! 😍 🥰 😘
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:>)
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Heartfelt and beautiful piece. It made me feel hopeful. Love the painting as well.❤️
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Thank you Grace! When all is lost, hope is all that is left!
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Absolutely. Truly my pleasure, Dwight.❤️
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Inspiring poem, Dwight. 👏🏼
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Thank you very much!
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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….and don’t we wonder where is God when it seems disaster is everywhere. There are those who say it is written…. but still we rise to face another day. Great write, Dwight.
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Thank you very much Beverly. Yes, questions of faith do arise when tragedy strikes. Not an easy thing to live with when loved ones are gone!
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Impossible to ignore your voice, the message in this amazing poem ….
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A cry that continues to echo on and on.
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Thank you Helen! I am glad it connected with you.
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The repeated chant lines really echo in my mind after reading this poem. We are each other’s life rafts. This is marvelous.
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Thank you so much. It is our responsibility to help when we can… one person at a time.
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An inspirational piece, which is so needed considering today’s hoopla! The painting is awesome!
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Thank you so much! Sometimes hope is all that is left!
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Most welcome, Dwight! Yes, and hope is something we should never give up on.
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I do hope that the people of Haiti will be able to rise up and face another day–and that there is an end to their suffering. They’ve suffered enough.
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They have gone though very difficult tragedies.
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Coming together is so hard, especially since it’s hard enough within our own “tribe”
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It is the only way for humans to survive in our world! If we spent as much time coming together as we do trying to divide, Things could change for the better.
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This is incredibly poignant.. sigh .. in times like these we need to stick together now more than ever.. May there be peace .. Amen 💝💝
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Thank you Sanaa. It is sad to see so much tragedy and devastation happening in the world.
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This is beautiful. I wish I could hear you sing it.
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My WP site won’t allow me to upload music. I am glad you liked it! It is very sad indeed.
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Do you use WhatsApp? You could sing it to me there!!
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No I am afraid not! Sorry! message me you your address I will send you a cd! :>)
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I’d love that, {{{Dwight!}}} I am at 7 Mallards Roost Rd. #1477, Ennis, MT 59729 ❤
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Thanks Jan, I will try to get one in the mail on Tuesday! :>)
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Bless You, {{{Dwight}}} – thanks so much!
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that’s a beautiful song Dwight, i could hear that clearly as i read it, so up beat and inspired
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Thank you so much for your comment! I was trying to inspire hope in the midst of chaos!
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This is heart-wrenching, Dwight…
💔
David
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Yes it is so very sad, especially the children dying.
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A lovely, empathetic poem, Dwight. There is much misery all over the world right now, but Haiti seems to have gotten more than its share of trouble!
I have had several Haitian students and found them to be quite bright and hardworking.
The Phoenix is one of my favorite mythological characters. Your painting brings it vividly to life! ❤ I wish Haiti the energy and the will to rise from the ashes.
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Thank you Cheryl. Yes, Haiti has had more than its share of disasters. I too hope them will make a come back!
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Dwight, I absolutely love this! The repetitive phrases unify. The question shatters us.
Only God can heal my broken soul
Only God can heal my broken soul
Astounding poem. Thank you.. I have a dear friend Haitian friend who travels back an forth. She is safe right now. I don’t know of her property.
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Thank Mary for your thoughtful comment! I agree.
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Well, duh, I said that wrong! My friend is Jamaican. Well, tragedy has no borders..
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Dwight, what an amazingly heartfelt verse! If only ..
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Thank you so much for your kind words.
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Powerful important painting and song! What is going on there, and so many other places, touches the heart. 😦
(((HUGS)))
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Thank you… and mine as well. It is such a tragic thing to see.
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The poem is so heartfelt and beautiful 💗
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Thank you so much. I am glad it connected with you. It is so sad to see the devastation!
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Yes, it’s true and sir, if you have time, can you plz give feedback on my new blog?
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Thanks for the uplifting message in your beautiful poetry Dwight at a time we all need it soooo much!💖💖💖💖🙏🙏
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Nice poem as well as it inspired me too.
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Strawberry tasty read🏵️🤭
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Thank you! I am glad it suits your palate!
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