In May my husband and I took a cruise vacation. The ship stopped in Havana, Cuba for two days. The people were wonderful, welcoming, friendly. They are hard-working and industrious but very poor. The music, which blared from all restaurants and bars, was amazing, the food, delicious. We had a magnificent time.
A few days after returning home, the U.S. reimposed restrictions on American travel to Cuba. The politics are contrived. Unfortunately, it is the people who pay the consequences of policies that may not even have the desired effect.
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| I never really saw women dressed in traditional garb. But I envision these women selling flowers, taking pictures with tourists, working hard to contribute to the family income. |
THREE CUBAN LADIES
Their hips - rhythmic drumbeats
Clothes - color blasts
Skin - dark coffee
Chatter - clash of waves
Shock - no American tourists
Hope - cigar smoke
Reality - fewer tips
Reality - embargo
Reality - deeper poverty
Reality - Why?
The beauty, so easy to see. The problems, easy to see. The solutions, mirky and so often misguided. You captured it all very well in just a few clear words. I'm glad you had the opportunity to go to Cuba. I don't know what the answers are, but I do know lack of exposure to a people is an effective way to forget about and deny them. Thank you for painting this picture for us.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, everyone's reality under the current regime is horrible beyond anything i ever thought i would see in 2019 North America. I note the joy and friendliness, the openness, of those who have little. What they lack materially, they make up for in soul. I love your painting, Myrna.
ReplyDeleteThis so quickly moves from hope to slaps--receding from the one to the other like pulling out of harbor.
ReplyDeleteOh Myrna. This pithy and powerful piece resonates with me on so many levels. I remember the hard working, graceful and cheery people I saw in India decades ago. Content with so very little. And I mourn our own current Government which so often blames and further penalises those with nothing - here and abroad.
ReplyDeleteI visited Cuba several times. Enjoyed myself and the people thoroughly
ReplyDeleteVery sad indeed! Reality right now is so unreal. You are fortunate that you were able to visit Cuba. It is sad for the rest of us, the Cubans and Americans, that this is no longer possible. I could just cry!
ReplyDeleteThis is powerfully written, Myrna!💖
ReplyDeleteI have never visited Cuba, but the Cuban soul you describes is worth a visit. I luv your painting
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by my sumie Sunday today
Much❤🕊❤love
In the end, almost always, is the same story—the wealthy fight, the poor pay the war. Your last line says it all, in the clearest of ways.
ReplyDeleteLove the format.
One often wonders not on what was intended but why! Imposed hardships could have the effect of the favor being returned back, sometimes accompanied with worse hardships. It is a matter of Karma playing up some games!
ReplyDeleteHank
One of the most effective list poems I ever read. Good that you got to see for yourself, just in time.
ReplyDeleteDid you paint that? It's a beautiful piece of art. With changing policies you are lucky to have gone as I see more and more restrictions coming.
ReplyDeleteThe poor do suffer the most.
This is wonderful, Myrna. The way in which you have constructed this piece is really inspired … moving from a feeling of gaiety to the harsh reality is very impactful and truly hits your reader right between their discombobulated eyes with the senselessness of what is being done - TO PEOPLE - here. I almost felt like I needed a moment to get my bearings. When that happens to me, I know I've just read a powerful poem.
ReplyDeletei loved this very effective list poem, and your wonderful artwork.
ReplyDeletewhen big brother plays politics, it is the little people who suffers.
Lovely poem! Happy you enjoyed your trip.
ReplyDeleteSadly it is easy to bully smaller nations. It is a measure of a nations politics on how they treat their poorer neighbours. The days of Castro are over in Cuba but sadly the distaste by certain other governments continue.
ReplyDeleteThe most vulnerable always suffer when the wealthy and powerful go on ego trips. And finding the answer to the question why doesn't mean any meaningful change will happen.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a wonderful holiday and you got there before the embargo. Terrible situation for these Cubans.the world is wonderful except for the evil ones who control our lives. Sad !
ReplyDelete