While at the house I was able to catch up with an old friend who is a talented poet. I asked her to send me a few poems. This one is of her observations while on a Mission trip to Haiti. It seemed appropriate for this mission to women. As women from a privileged country leading privileged lives we can learn so much from the joy of impoverished women. ~Margaret of Souls for Jesus
Trip to Haiti
Leaving one land for unfamiliar soil
Packed with people dashing about
Old trucks, cars, noisy cycles rush to toil
Charging forward, horns beep and shout
Mounds of vendors’ goods clutter the streets
Side by side for miles like beads on a string
Women balancing heavy loads move on steady feet
Chickens, papayas, mangos stacked in neat piles
Hot day after day unfolds in this way
Side by side for miles like beads on a string
Women balancing heavy loads move on steady feet
Chickens, papayas, mangos stacked in neat piles
Hot day after day unfolds in this way
Poverty abounds under cotton candy sky
Needs scream of hardships for man and beast
The heart is disturbed, the mind questions why
As pigs, donkeys, cows, and goats
Roam about dressed in different coats
Needs scream of hardships for man and beast
The heart is disturbed, the mind questions why
As pigs, donkeys, cows, and goats
Roam about dressed in different coats
Shacks with tin roofs small in size
Slant and sag in flimsy layers
Folks mill around from early sunrise
Moving through life with all its cares
Skinny dogs standing low move slowly to and fro
Slant and sag in flimsy layers
Folks mill around from early sunrise
Moving through life with all its cares
Skinny dogs standing low move slowly to and fro
Why do such burdens continue to soar
Where is a better life for our sisters and brothers
Few so comfortable while many so poor
Change is needed for children and mothers
Worthy to be fully alive, not just survive
Where is a better life for our sisters and brothers
Few so comfortable while many so poor
Change is needed for children and mothers
Worthy to be fully alive, not just survive
One can’t prepare for conditions so dire
Observing the life of poverty this deep
A taste of this culture sets the soul on fire
The troubled heart begins to weep
Truth alone makes justice known
Observing the life of poverty this deep
A taste of this culture sets the soul on fire
The troubled heart begins to weep
Truth alone makes justice known
A contrast so great in rough roads and alleys
In unclean rivers and dump like debris
As great beauty shines in mountains and valleys
In blue green waters of a calm sea
With poverty gone, in fullness of time, a new day will dawn
In unclean rivers and dump like debris
As great beauty shines in mountains and valleys
In blue green waters of a calm sea
With poverty gone, in fullness of time, a new day will dawn
Though Haiti may appear God forsaken
I see Him in joyful spirits and faces
In their neat dress, sense of dignity
His gift of grace for every race
God is truly present, faithful is He
I see Him in joyful spirits and faces
In their neat dress, sense of dignity
His gift of grace for every race
God is truly present, faithful is He
Missionaries serve those among the least
Bringing new hope in the name of love
With faith richer than the greedy who feast
Blessings are showered upon this land
The master holds His people in His hands
Bringing new hope in the name of love
With faith richer than the greedy who feast
Blessings are showered upon this land
The master holds His people in His hands
Leaving this sacred experience, shared as one
The heart’s deepest feelings come alive
Its early morn along the busy roadside
Youngsters in uniforms off to learn and thrive
Never alone, holy angels forever protect and guide
The heart’s deepest feelings come alive
Its early morn along the busy roadside
Youngsters in uniforms off to learn and thrive
Never alone, holy angels forever protect and guide
Rose Gallagher
June 12, 2014
June 12, 2014
St. Marks Mission Trip
4-24-14 – 5-5-14
Sutton, MA
No comments:
Post a Comment