- A Syrian man holds the body of his child after it was taken from under the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike on the rebel-held neighborhood of al-Marjah in the northern city of Aleppo, on July 24, 2016. Ameer Alhalbi/AFP
Windswept Adieu
A hopeful heart
Of dreams that soar
A dearth of chance
Life bestows
A father’s tears
On daughter’s wake
Throughout the years
A heart that breaks
A silent scream
To the skies
Who is to blame?
A mouthful curse
A soft whisper
A gentle kiss,
The breeze sends
A windswept adieu
© 2016 Maria. All Rights Reserved.
Image via Rappler
Today’s Filipino word prompt is “pahimakas” which means “last farewell”.
My heart breaks for the people of Aleppo after the series of airstrikes that befall them. These needless wars and deaths are draining the last faith in humanity that remains in me. We, human beings, must stop killing each other and use our religious faith as an excuse to do so. Because truth is, TERRORISM HAS NO RELIGION. It never did and it never will. 😥
Come on! Write a poem or a fiction
Snap a photo under the sun
A six-word tale or a long post, perhaps?
Let’s all get word-high this July!
Want to join the fun? Find the prompt words HERE! Don’t forget to pingback & use the tag WordHighJuly. Mazel tov! 😉
DoodleScribbles 
July 26, 2016 at 11:02 am
I love this poem, but for the picture I am speechless. What a horror.
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July 26, 2016 at 11:58 am
Thank you! The photo does speaks a lot of horror. Sigh.
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July 26, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Very welcome.
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July 26, 2016 at 6:52 pm
🙂 🙂 🙂
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July 26, 2016 at 11:26 am
This broke my heart. Both the news of the tragedy, the photo, and your poem. How much more horror can this world take?
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July 26, 2016 at 11:54 am
I’m afraid this world can take a lot of horror than love. We should be ashamed at considering ourselves intellectuals when we’re animals at heart. 😦
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July 26, 2016 at 11:02 pm
Harsh words, Maria, but very true.
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July 26, 2016 at 11:30 am
Truly terrorism has no religion…. Love your poem !
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July 26, 2016 at 11:49 am
Thank you, Ism. I’ve always wondered, when has all these became a survival of the fittest? Must there be one religion standing at the end? No god would be pleased at such acts. *sighs*
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July 26, 2016 at 12:57 pm
True words Maria ! But sadly most people don’t understand as a result one points finger over the other forgetting other three fingers are pointing at themselves ; self-reflection is something which is a must !
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July 26, 2016 at 6:46 pm
I completely agree. There’s too much blame games going on and no one’s taking responsibility for all of it. Additionally, war has been a podium for power and greed among some parties. It’s a shame.
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July 26, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Yes , I know … If it’s the parties the sufferers then there is something meaningful ,but it’s the poor innocent people who are suffering!
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July 26, 2016 at 11:50 am
Wonderful poem expressing the deep emotional pain of the father. Sorrow to the extreme. When will it end? We see very little hope of it ending.
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July 26, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Thank you, Jessie. The photo is indeed sorrow to the extreme. We’ll never really know when will it end– or will it ever end? I hate to agree that there is very little hope of it ending.
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July 26, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Oh my! The poem is very touching and asks for the world to change! I can’t believe we all are living in times, where war on religion is at the extreme point. I don’t understand what they get from spreading terror! The picture is so terrifying and tells us how helpless we are as humans. . 😦
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July 30, 2016 at 10:31 am
I share your sentiments. We are living in a harsh world. I really do believe that there is no religion in any act of terrorism. Those people who claim that they are doing it for such god, do not understand their faith. We need to correct this mindset.
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July 31, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Yes very true Maria. Religion never teach any violent acts. People who do it are doing it to stir up the things. Hope everything gets better soon.
Have a beautiful Sunday. 🙂
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July 26, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Oh my. 😵
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July 30, 2016 at 10:31 am
*sighs*
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July 26, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Oh this is too heartbreaking–such horror, to hold your child now gone… oh gosh, praying for God’s mercy and comfort.
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July 30, 2016 at 10:33 am
I pray the same. I pray that this world heals. ❤
Have a lovely weekend, Stella. God bless you.
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July 30, 2016 at 10:38 am
You have a blessed weekend too, Maria <3<3
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July 30, 2016 at 11:37 am
❤ ❤ ❤
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July 30, 2016 at 2:29 pm
❤
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July 26, 2016 at 3:40 pm
Oh shocks. Shocks. The photo just hits my heart hard. I am necrophobic but the pain is more than my fear. And then comes your poem. Tears are so hard to stop now. This is beyond heartbreaking. The spate of killings are beyond heartbreaking.
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July 30, 2016 at 10:35 am
*tears* I am sorry dearie for making you sad on this day.The photo really is beyond heartbreaking. Everything about war is. 😥
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August 1, 2016 at 6:56 am
Yes, dearie. 😦
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July 26, 2016 at 6:00 pm
A heart wrenching poem and picture that pulls no punches around the horror of war. Maria, there is great skill and artistry in crafting this poem and thank you for doing do and sharing.
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July 30, 2016 at 10:37 am
Thank you very much for the kind words, D. It’s a bit saddening that such tragedy could be behind a heartfelt piece.
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July 26, 2016 at 6:16 pm
It is dirty politics, power, greed and ulterior motives that’s behind all of this horror…Sadly humans justify killings only to further their own power-hungry goals. …. A very apt poem! Thanks for sharing!
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July 30, 2016 at 10:39 am
I completely agree with you, S. Some of these wars are not just about religion, most were tragic results of greed and ulterior motives. This makes it even more sickening.
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July 26, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Oh my gosh, the photo is absolutely devastating! We read of these things happening but it only becomes “real” when you see the photos. That poor baby and that poor father! I feel the same as you about terrorism. It must stop. I’m afraid it will take a world war to make it stop. Simply unspeakable what humans can do to one another. So sad!! Your poem is absolutely beautiful and heart touching!
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July 30, 2016 at 10:45 am
Oh, PJ… I fear the same too. I fear what’s at stake to end this or will it really ever end? More and more innocent lives are taken, more could-have-been future deprived. 😥 It is indeed dreadful how easily humans kill each other. Sigh.
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July 30, 2016 at 7:24 pm
I understand, Maria. It is very frightening and you’re right. It’s too easy for humans to kill each other.
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July 27, 2016 at 11:49 am
Such a terrible true life event. Poor father, it’s always utterly tragic when children die, so young with so much possibility. You are right terrorism has no religion. Even the people who practice it claiming they are Muslim; are not practicing true Islamic religion. I would know my ex was a devote Muslim. Terrorism is awful, this another example, I do t know when enough killing us enough, enough brutality is enough. Heart wrenching but beautiful poem. A great tribute to this child and his family.
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July 30, 2016 at 10:50 am
“I don’t know when enough killing us enough, enough brutality is enough.” ~Mandi, share your thoughts. What and what really is enough? I strongly agree, these people do not understand the beauty of their faith. They’ve been thought of a completely different mindset. And what’s terrifying is that they’re teaching it to their children. Sigh. This needs to be corrected. Our world doesn’t need another generation of false believers.
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July 30, 2016 at 11:02 am
Well, to tell you the truth it’s hard to explain.
I do know, killing all this bad stuff will not get them into heaven. As a Muslim you are supposed to pray and help others. Do good deeds, try your best emulate to Mohammed the prophet. The better you follow the Quar’an, pray, fast, visit Mecca etc. The better heaven you will get into.
I think these people of this religion say they are following something called the ‘Jihad’ a religious call to war. It’s your inner war but also can be a military war to defend the Islamic faith. But the concept of a just war is vital and important. Islam must say this war is okay and it’s only alright if the Muslim religion is in grave peril.
I think those who blow themselves up etc… Think they are doing this justly but are misinformed and convinced and manipulated, the same way any person is manipulated or used.
They lie to them and put pressure on them etc. . . Rarely, is a war sanctioned my Islam. It is usually small pockets of the religion who misuse Jihad. Muslims do not want to destroy other faiths, particularly, Christian or Jews, because they also are in their version of the Bible and Muslims believe they worship the same God.
That’s what I know from school and dating. Does it make it any clearer? An actual Muslim probably knows better. I hope I’m not misinterpreting anything.
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July 28, 2016 at 12:24 am
Heartbreaking realities….deeply moving lines…
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July 30, 2016 at 10:51 am
Thank you, Biku.
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August 8, 2016 at 3:08 pm
You are very welcome 🙂
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July 28, 2016 at 12:38 am
Reblogged this on chithankalai.
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July 30, 2016 at 10:52 am
Thank you for re-blogging. 🙂 I appreciate it. Have a blessed weekend.
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July 28, 2016 at 8:14 am
Your poem is so heartbreaking, but written so beautifully. ❤
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July 30, 2016 at 10:52 am
Thank you, Josslyn. ❤
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July 30, 2016 at 4:43 pm
❤
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