by Jerrice J. Baptiste
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PORT-AU-PRINCE, 13 August 2024 – At least 131 children, including babies, have been reported killed or injured in Haiti during violent attacks against their neighbourhoods or clashes between armed groups and the police so far in 2024, Save the Children said. According to an analysis of UN verified data, an average of five children a week in the first six months of 2024, have been killed or injured by armed violence in Haiti. However, the true number of child casualties is likely to be much higher. —Save the Children |
Our hearts flood in joy like turtles
in shells in the sea. We're flying high
but then, your real story flashes.
No fireflies in belly of your darkness.
We're scared. Your sacred beauty will
remain hidden in mountain peaks
in shells in the sea. We're flying high
but then, your real story flashes.
No fireflies in belly of your darkness.
We're scared. Your sacred beauty will
remain hidden in mountain peaks
our feet will never climb. Our tears
are quite predictable, they swell
like your turquoise sea. Salt on
cheeks. We mourn each day we can't
bask in your rising sun, sit in shade
of your palm trees. Stroll like lovers.
We don't have answers to questions.
"What's going on in your country?"
"What will it take to change Ayiti?"
Sleepless, on the eve of speaking about you.
I looked in a mirror, brushed my coarse gray hair.
Raised my chin. Smiled with full red lips for hope.
are quite predictable, they swell
like your turquoise sea. Salt on
cheeks. We mourn each day we can't
bask in your rising sun, sit in shade
of your palm trees. Stroll like lovers.
We don't have answers to questions.
"What's going on in your country?"
"What will it take to change Ayiti?"
Sleepless, on the eve of speaking about you.
I looked in a mirror, brushed my coarse gray hair.
Raised my chin. Smiled with full red lips for hope.
Jerrice J. Baptiste is a poet born in Haiti, the author of eight books including her new book of poetry Coral in The Diaspora (Abode Press, August 2024). Her poetry has been published and forthcoming in The New Verse News, Impspired, Urthona: Buddhism & Art, Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality & The Arts, Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis, The Dewdrop. Poetica Review, The Banyan Review, Kosmos Journal, The Caribbean Writer, West Trestle Review among others. Jerrice was nominated for a Pushcart Prize for 2024 by Jerry Jazz Musician and as Best of the Net for 2022 by Blue Stem. She facilitates poetry workshops in New York where she lives.