Their Voices
They try to silence
the voices
the voices that tell the truth
They try to squash
the stories
They try to rewrite
the histories
They try to erase
their lives
They took away
their freedom
their choices
their futures
But truth cannot be silenced
Not forever
Unmarked graves will be found
Their stories will be told
Their truths will be shared
Their lives will be celebrated
and mourned
and remembered
Their potential was erased
Their loss is uncountable
But they have not silenced their voices
Those who will listen
Will always hear
***
Some parts of Canadian history are horrific. Residential schools aimed to destroy indigenous cultures and people. Unmarked graves in multiple sites have been found. It's a hideous part of our history and something we have to acknowledge. We can't go back to fix the mistakes of the past, but we can acknowledge them and offer reparations and work to ensure nothing like this happens again.
The freedom to speak, the freedom to live and thrive, the freedom to be, was taken away from so many kids. I hope it never happens again. I know I can't fix the world, but I'll continue to work on my own little corner of it. It's the least we can do.
***
The above is part of the WEP Challenge - although it's not an actual part of the challenge. One reason is that I'm offering the prize this month. The second reason is, I'm now a part of the WEP team!! I'm thrilled to be joining this talented and lovely group of writers!
Please check out this link to find the stories that are actually part of the challenge. WEP is always a good place to stretch your skills. I'm excited to work with the winner and to be part of the team in the future!
45 comments:
Congratulations for joining the team Jemi. I admire how Canada has come this far and is counted amongst the most democratic nations now.
Those who will listen
Will always hear
This...yes this for everything!
Sonia from https://soniadogra.com
Thanks, Sonia! I'm thrilled to be on the team!
I agree Canada has come a long way, but there is still a ways to go!
Beautiful, Jemi! Well said.
And welcome aboard! We are so thrilled that you're here!
Thanks Renée - Glad to be on the team!
Hi Jemi - great to see you here and congratulations on joining the team - great idea!
We need to remember history and learn from it - our leaders seem incapable of it ... slavery, collusion, bullying, control etc etc - should never be allowed to reign.
Another thing is realising that these ways of the world have been going on for ever ... the populaces need to join together against all the leaders of the world. The Brits haven't been brilliant, but nor have the French, the Italians, the Russians, the Germans, the Chinese - throughout history ... history does keep reminding us.
The leaders, all the leaders, need to set worth-while examples for all the world to follow so humanity can live peacefully and happily, without worry and stress.
It's becoming an interesting WEP day ... cheers Hilary
This prompt had sure created a visceral reaction in many of the people and posts. It's such a complex idea and our history has many sad examples of how it has gone wrong
Beautiful piece, Jemi. The U.S. has a horrendous past and current history too. Congrats on joining the team.
Thanks, Natalie!
Humans need to shape up! We've had a long history and aren't learning as much as we need to learn!
Jemi, your poem is definitely a part of the challenge, and what a powerful entry it is. It reminds me how proud I'm to be Canadian, proud to live in a country that is trying to right the wrongs in its past.
Congratulations - to you and to the hard working team. It sounds like a wonderful match to me.
I love your poem and sadly those voices remain unheard (and/or unlistened to) for far too long, far too often.
Thanks Olga. I'm so glad we are making forward progress. I agree - so proud to be Canadian!!
Thanks, Sue! I'm glad to be part of WEP!
I agree - humanity has to do better, so much better!
Beautifully written. The US shares in Canada's horrific past. We moved from Colorado south to New Mexico in 2019. The Navajo reservation is closeby. Many of them don't have electricity or running water. That's a crime in my opinion.
Nancy
You have long been an integral part of WEP. It is lovely to see you in a more formal role.
Thank you again for joining the team Jemi!
I remember learning about residential schools in the US and Canada when I was in college. The idea of forcibly separating children from their families and culture was horrendous enough. Learning about the mass graves was heartbreaking.
The truth can only be silenced for so long.
Thanks so much, Sue!
I agree! It's horrific how humans can treat each other. We need to be better!
Thanks for having me Laura!
It certainly is heartbreaking. We have a former residential school here that has been turned into a university hosting many indigenous people and programs. One way of healing the past
Loved your contribution, Jemi!
Thanks, Lee!
Many things about our past are totally mortifying and unless we acknowledge the wrongdoing there will never be peace on either side. Powerful entry for the prompt! Welcome to the team Jemi, so very pleased!
Hi,
I believe that change never takes place by making a set of rules. If we are not willing to make a heart change we will never see justice appear for all because that is something that reparations can't buy.
Shalom aleichem
Welcome to the team. Great writing.
Thanks so much, Nila! Glad to be part of WEP!
Acknowledging mistakes of the past/present can be a huge step forward!
Exactly. A heart change is the key for making humanity better!
Thanks so much, Sally!
History is usually filled with buried secrets and unspeakable truths, the question remains on what facts are best left hidden and what can be shared freely. A superb take on the prompt. Well done, Jemi.
Thanks so much, Christopher! History is so often written by the "winners" and therefore has a undeniable bias. So many buried truths
Welcome to the team Jemi - what a great fit!
Thank you for writing this. We need to be reminded of what mankind is capable of, in order to avoid such atrocities in the future. I believe that through poetry we sneak into the heart under the radar of cognitive thinking!
Thank you, Carole!
Sadly, mankind is capable of incredible cruelty.
I agree with your take on poetry. The heart speaks :)
The heart speaks for sure, Jemi. I've read every comment and they greatly moved me. "But truth cannot be silenced
Not forever..." is so poignant. Sometimes forever is a long time to those suffering. Most western countries have dirty secrets buried, usually regarding native peoples who in Australia we now refer to as First Peoples. Our First Peoples were treated shamefully too. Shot, poisoned, raped, stateless, voteless ... you name it. Finally said 'sorry' in 2004. But it took a lot of work to get that word said.
You know I'm overjoyed to have you on the team. I know we'll work together so well.
Ciao! Denise
The histories of immigrant countries are often similar - and not in a good way. Sad and hurtful and wrong.
Thanks for the invite to the WEP - I'm looking forward to working together - such a great team!
Thank you for being part of WEP and for offering the prize. Your poem speaks for so many whose voices have been silenced, if only temporarily. I liked the lines, "But truth cannot be silenced..." There's hope in that sentiment.
Thanks so much, Kalpana.
We need to hang onto that hope! The kids I've taught over the years make me hopeful for our future
Very good topic. I had heard something about this in the news.
Thanks, Jamie - it's so sad. So many kids
Canadians seem to be handling the heartbreaking parts of their history with a lot of grace. Excellent topic here.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I hope we're moving forward to fix what we can.
And we can't be happier to have you!
Thanks Jemi for this reminder of a snippet of Canadian history. Enjoyed your poem. Happy autumn.
Thanks, Susan. Here's to a better future
"Schools" is a funny word in this context. There was one in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, not far from me. Places to remove you, to delete your soul, and then program you to fit in with the monsters. And it was all legal. Meaning elected officials voted to allow it. People knew.
You're so right. It's horrific. Schools should be buildings with the future inside, not pain and horror.
I just found out that a new federal holiday is being established, I think that's a great idea, to help us focus on remembrance and changing mindsets.
Sounds like a great idea!
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