A short poem
that says more than the longest essay.
It’s been another hard week when each day brought devastating news and anxiety. Combined with personal problems and health issues, it felt too much. It’s also been the first warm week of spring weather and sunshine. The flowers started to bloom, the birds singing became louder, and the tiny green leaves appeared on the maple tree by my window. More than anything, I wanted to disconnect from everything that was going on, delete all social media, and just live my life without thinking about the war, the state of the world, and without trying to solve every possible issue. I’ll be completely honest with you — I’m just so incredibly tired. I know that many of you, too. I sat down to write this week’s letter multiple times, but instead, I wrote a poem. Sometimes, a short poem can tell more than the longest essay.
*** I’m so tired of living in historical times, I said to my husband the other day. In the mornings, I want my heart to soar with joy not sink with dread, as I worry about the state of the world. In the evenings, I want to feel peace not read the war news to stay alert. Sometimes, it looks that compromising your values and consciousness is the only way to be happy and enjoy this life. However, how can we survive in the dark if we all put out our light?
I hope we will keep our light shining, no matter what.
Warmly,
Darya
Email: daryazorka@substack.com
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Dearest Darya, very beautiful poem, thank you. Darya, taking a break is not compromising on your values or extinguishing the light. This is a long and hard fight and we must preserve our strength when we can. If you need rest, rest. If you need a break, take that break. You will still be in this world, and know better than so many how things are. But first and foremost, take good care of yourself. Only in this way can we be the real guarantors of the values we stand for. I send you lots of hugs, but please, take some time for yourself whenever you need it. Maybe short breaks or a day away from (social) media every now and then may help. Or walks in the sun. Self care in these circumstances is as important as is the care for others. And while you rest, we will be here. We're not going anywhere. After all, Ukraine, and Belarus, are in our hearts. 🫂
Thank you Darya for your true poem. Feel the same about the history that's on repeat every day. I was born i Poland, but live in Stockholm. Work as a teacher - so we have children from Ukraine - that starts to speak Swedish, they are so sweet and their parents so thankful ! My relatives fought in the 2WW and then tried to cope with the communism. My grandmother was forced to labour in a camp in Germany as young girl...
I try to take breaks from it all but its not easy. Sometimes a true poem like yours can be the best break from it all, to the sound of the birds that welcomes Spring!