More than half-way through the movie
the woman—survivor of atrocities
during the Balkan wars—breaks
her silence to tell the burn
patient she bathes
her story.
Unable to close our ears or eyes,
so joined are we to their fortunes,
we take in her wounded words, his
tears—staring and clutching each
other—your arm, my knee….
It’s a suffering that keeps throbbing
at midnight as we lie down
wrapped in questions,
and wake at dawn seeking
each other’s soothing
hands across our backs
and breasts, our faces….
What goodness can possibly
equal the cruelty she suffered?
What gentleness can surpass
the raw horrific warp of it?
Your sudden weeping?
My whispered comfort words?
Do I have the right to say
this? Only kindness
will save us.
11/22/2009-11/11/2022
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Singing Frog Press 
[…] Susan Fantl Spivack, Storyteller/Writer/Teaching Artist brings us into the “murmuring deep” with her poetry, to the Real Presence that contains us all. You can read more at https://singingfrogpress.com/2022/11/12/the-secret-life-of-words/ […]
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Thank you! dear Rachel. I’m grateful for your words and sharing my singingfrog link.🧡
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Only kindness, only kindness. Your poetry brings me so intimately into the “murmuring deep.” Thank you!
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So nice to be seeing your poetry again. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Adair. I hope your days are going well, as winter comes on. We’re having our first snowstorm starting this evening. I imagine you’ve already seen some snow. Love to you, Sue
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Unfortunately, driving to NY in March damaged my right ankle again, and I had to have another surgery. Things have not gone well, and I am limited as to how far I can drive (50 miles is my max.) My surgeon was horrified that I had driven so far. It is a good thing that I love living in Maine, because I’m stuck here. Fortunately, my house is ideal for someone with limited mobility. I hope snow will bring beauty to you, and not problems.
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Oh, Sue, that is beautiful. And piercing. Audrey
Sent from my iPad
>
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Thank you so much, Audrey! 🧡
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