I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

6 March 2016

Berta Cáceres, Indigenous Activist, Is Killed in Honduras *

The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be  – Martin Luther King, Jr.


Extreme necessity.
Her voice sounds out.

Will not be silenced.
Until …

If you will speak
for forests and rivers
your mouth can be shut.

If you will defend
generations of future lives,
you may be shot –

Dead – as the land, water, air,
and all who dwell therein.

But her voice
rings even louder now.


* Link to story in New York Times

For Flash 55 PLUS! (5 March 2016) at 'imaginary garden with real toads'. Also shared with Poets United's Poetry Pantry #292.
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31 comments:

  1. Rob Schackne6 March 2016 at 15:02

    So touching. In her memory...and in everyone's. Thank you, dear Rosemary.

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  2. S.E.Ingraham6 March 2016 at 15:35

    You write with such authenticity Rosemary ... and what you write is so important. Thank you.

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  3. Sherry Blue Sky6 March 2016 at 15:56

    Oh my God. If the common man or woman speaks the truth, their lives are snuffed out by the corporate entities who rape and pillage at the expense of future generations.But yes, her voice speaks even more loudly now. They can shoot one person, but 100 more will rise in her place. Because we are on the side of the forests and rivers, who matter more than corporate profits.

    Thanks, Rosemary, for honouring this brave woman, who gave her life for our grandchildren.

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  4. Jim6 March 2016 at 16:06

    Thank you, Rosemary, for writing this. It is a fine tribute to one who spoke her beliefs to her demise. Poor lady, great causes she had.

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  5. Sumana Roy6 March 2016 at 17:54

    such souls are born to be Heard...a heartfelt tribute Rosemary....

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  6. Kerry O'Connor6 March 2016 at 17:58

    A worthy tribute to a fallen warrior. I hope her tragic death brings her country under even closer scrutiny now.

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  7. brudberg6 March 2016 at 18:21

    This is terrifying, most of all that this is news that's silenced (found so little about it on the news). Yes all the silenced voices scares me.

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  8. Linda Stevenson6 March 2016 at 20:57

    Dignified and truthful response to the message of this wonderful activist, assassinated for her work for the earth and its life.

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  9. Steve King6 March 2016 at 23:19

    A very fine memorial.

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  10. Sanaa Rizvi7 March 2016 at 00:01

    Such a profound 55!

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  11. Anonymous7 March 2016 at 00:41

    In a might is right world...some pay an extreme price for their insistence on being heard. Yet we can never give up.

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  12. Magaly Guerrero7 March 2016 at 01:15

    May all our voices grow into a loud, daring echo of Berta's call to reason. ♥

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  13. Mary7 March 2016 at 01:17

    May her voice live on! You can silence the body, but not the message.

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  14. Truedessa7 March 2016 at 01:28

    A tribute to a voice gone silent, but now rises from the ashes stronger

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  15. ZQ7 March 2016 at 02:01

    A true martyr
    ZQ

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  16. Outlawyer7 March 2016 at 03:39

    So horrible. Thanks for really good poem about her. k.

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  17. Matthew Henningsen7 March 2016 at 04:05

    I great memento here. Sad but hopeful all at once.

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  18. C.C.7 March 2016 at 06:03

    Wow, heartbreaking and powerful. Thanks, Rosemary, for the link to the news story.

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  19. Other Mary7 March 2016 at 07:31

    Yes, moving and powerful. Thank you for writing it.

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  20. Victoria7 March 2016 at 07:48

    Strong writing and a great tribute to a woman who wasn't afraid to say it like it is. I wish I had that kind of courage. You do.

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  21. Old Egg7 March 2016 at 09:58

    Thank you Rosemary for speaking for Berta Cáceres. Sadly governments are often complicit in such horrors and do not always act for their country's people but for their own benefit. Even here in Australia the Great Barrier Reef is under threat.

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  22. Susie Clevenger7 March 2016 at 10:39

    Even death could not silence her. This breaks my heart. Too many of us remain silent.

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  23. Wendy Bourke7 March 2016 at 12:13

    Powerful and intense - a haunting expression of "real" activism and sacrifice.

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  24. Luk Lei7 March 2016 at 14:46

    Brilliant! especially at a time when one of the largest humanitarian crisses are occuring in one of the worlds forgotten places... Central America.

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  25. grapeling7 March 2016 at 15:37

    so incredibly sad, and outrageous. You do her honor ~

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  26. dsnake17 March 2016 at 22:50

    a great tribute to a brave person.
    and yes, her voice rings even louder now.

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  27. Jae Rose7 March 2016 at 23:40

    And I am glad it does and that you gave voice to it - sad that we still lose people in the quest for free speech - i also love the opening quote

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  28. Carol Campbell8 March 2016 at 00:02

    She will be missed but you're right her voice is louder now in the spirit of Tahirih, "You can kill me, but you will never stop the emancipation of women"! She lives!

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  29. hedgewitch8 March 2016 at 01:03

    A sad--no, tragic end for a woman who fought so hard for what is truly real and important. Thanks for keeping her alive here.

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  30. Helen9 March 2016 at 05:43

    You are: A passionate crone. Beautiful poetry.

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  31. Hannah10 March 2016 at 08:24

    Your closing is so powerful and important...well done!

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