Gaping Holes
by Elouise
With apologies to
Chinua Achebe—
So quickly
Thing fall apart
Not once
Or twice but
Like broken records
No one wants to hear
Past promises
And dreams teeter
On the brink of
Desolation
Hearts bleed daily
Racing from one scenario
To the next Big Thing
Basking in false glory
Only to fall apart
Helpless to recreate
What can never be
repaired
Nothing but truth
Can fill gaping holes
Born yesterday
Buried today
I highly recommend Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. It’s a slow-paced examination of what happened to a community in Nigeria, Africa. It’s still happening today–the takeover of people and systems in order to assuage the insatiable hunger of those at the top.
Easter is also on my mind. Mary Oliver’s poem about The Donkey reminds me that choosing to follow the way of Jesus of Nazareth was and still is no picnic. Apart from the donkey, there weren’t many heroes in the crowds—whether they shouted Hosanna, took delight in seeing this man tortured and lynched, or ran away in fear.
If I were asked about today’s scenario in the USA and the nations of this world, I would admit to very little hope for the world as it is today. Except for this: Every day, somewhere, I know there are people doing what needs to be done. Not for themselves, but for others. It’s a sign that we haven’t been abandoned—if only we can keep our eyes on what’s close at hand. Without running away or giving up hope.
Thank you for your visits! My life has been a bit unsettled recently. I’ve missed posting as often as I would have liked. I have not, however, given up, thanks to the joy I have when I’m able to post something from my heart.
Elouise♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 13 April 2022
Photo of book cover found at en.wikipedia.org
Telling the Truth 
Dear Elouise,
Thank you for this post, which captures a great deal of what is on my heart and mind these days…months…years…
I loved the note of hope at the end – there are these pools of light here and there, reminding us that the light is there, waiting for little people like us to unpick threads of despair obscuring it – unpicking threads is tedious work, but even just a little of that work allows the light to get through…
So, from one thread-picker to another, I wish you a week of reminders that there is One who not only brings light, but is the Light, and our hope is in him!
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Thank you, Debbie, for this comment. Your comparison with ‘unpicking threads’ is right on target. It’s the kind of handwork I’ve always found tedious, though necessary. And yes, if just a little light comes through, it’s worth a celebration. Especially for the thread-picker! It isn’t up to us and we’re definitely part of the problem and the solution! What a strange world this is. I’m grateful for friends like you who get it. By the way, I miss being in church in person, AND I’m grateful beyond words for the church online option. I’m becoming quite adept at recognizing some of my friends’ hair on-screen, from the back, and their posture in the pews! 🙂
Elouise
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(((HUGS))) and ❤️
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Thank you, dear Carolyn! I pray all is going well for you these days, and that you’re finding unexpected joy in each day and each night. 🙂
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Thank you so much, SweetElouise for your kind comments and love…here, and on my blog site comment section! It means so much to me! And has helped me through the past month or so.
Things are not back to 100%, but they so so so much better and I am so so so grateful! I hope in the weeks ahead my leg/knee will be back to 100% good/normal again. (((HUGS))) ❤️
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