origins of humility and understanding never saying never.

Dear BV,

Huge stomach lurch! I can’t begin to fathom the atrocities. I know there is real evil and as you aptly express in your authors note, “There, but for the grace...” I only continue to pray for the safety of all of us. It’s ironic the premise is so simple, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and yet!... WTF? I’m stymied.
I think your color metaphor as the bruising of those physically and mentally beaten is brilliant. This is a terribly sad and difficult situation to comment on and I can only hope for all those escaping that nightmare may they know safety and peace and love-  soon!
And to the workers ensuring this passage may they know a high five. After visiting a similar venue as you’ve described as part of a job requirement, observing life behind a bullet proof window and entry way was about all the reality I could handle. Intense and respectfully illuminated write. I am humbled to have read this.
H🌷

Dearest H
I thank you for the generous  RL add, and your thoughtfully inspired kind words. 🙏  

 It's a deeply emotional impact of far far too many precious lives damaged, that's for certain. I saw the bowels of humanity as well as the very pinnacle. I feel it's when a person needs someone or something so badly, when they're at their most vulnerable and in their darkest of hours- that is usually when a lot of people are discarded and deemed unworthy or unwanted by society. Especially if they have no extended family / fiends. It was my own honor to try and do what I could to help during that time of the bleakest, no judgements no embarrassments. Only basic human decency from one human being to another. A daily affirmation I've kept in my mind since. My own 'do unto others' mantra, I suppose...  

I'm grateful you have seen first hand how very important these places are. I know it was probably extremely difficult to witness, too. I do try my best to volunteer when I can get the time and donate as well. I've never fully cut all my ties... it's impossible for me to, I think... I keep that experience and that time tattooed inside.  

I appreciate you taking the time to write me this comment, Honoria... it means so much to me.  
💜  
Much love, my friend.  
🌹  
xo

That is the only question that truely matters, "what can we make of this?"
Some make mountains. Others dig holes. While a few stay stuck in quicksand.
Excellent write, Blue. Love to sit down over a couple of dozen expressos and muse existence with you. It would be very interesting.

hugs,
buddhakitty.

Your keen eye rings of certainty, bk... it was more than difficult to see those scenarios play out in real time, for all those years. However there were those who you definitely thought fell into one of those camps of thinking or being, who ended up surprising everyone (even themselves) because of one simple leg up... ONE... and they'd turn their life around, completely. That's why I came back day after day and worked there for as long as I did despite it's heady emotional toll. Women (and children) like that...it was like participating (in my very small way) in a rebirth, kind of... Hope lives in dark dark places... but it's the best sort. Imo  

Ty for reading and your thoughtful comments, bk
Dammit if one day we won't sit for that coffee! ☕
💜
xoxo
-B

Susan your poignant descriptive poems are written with such emotional creativity, that it pierces my heart  
Your heartrending poem with this submission is beautifully designed.  
...much love and respect to you for your participation in the woman's outreach program.....a true blue beautiful heart and soul!

Thank you, Ron.  
Your comments are so nice to read and your sentiments are delivered with tremendous emotional impact and appreciation. I am so grateful for your visit and the generosity of your RL add... It's a hard part of my life, of myself, to share because it's still is so impactful On My Life. Normally I am writing (or I feel like I am, anyway... I could be wrong! ..) to relieve past or current hurts... to get out or over emotions I'm needing to. So to me, this is just about as personal as I could get, imo  
Sooo, you really get my utmost respect and thanks... because of my mindset  
 
Much love,  
🌹 💜 🌹  
xoxo  
-Susan

... speechless.

To answer:  An upside-down guitar.

Ty for reading, your comments and the kind RL add, Lj. I'm so appreciative of you and your visits.
Much love,
🌹
xo
B

Hope all these people got the help they needed.  Keep on writing.

I sure wish the same Francisco... I thank you very much for reading and leaving your thoughts.
🌹
:)

Your words are so very valuable here, RiAN. The only thing I found more mind blowing than the atrocities I witnessed, were the sheer amount of them. I STILL am bewildered by it. It's something that's gotten worse in the pandemic and I know that it's just put added awfulness to an existing nightmare scenario, for people. I take solace in the fact there is terrific support out there. However, there's only so much of it and it always weighs heavy on my mind that there are undoubtedly, a lot of people who are falling through the cracks...
My hopes are still alive for things to change as fast as possible with covid-19 and the vaccines, because the most vulnerable populations are not necessarily only those with underlying medical issues... it's people like these, too.

I appreciate your voice, it means so much as does the strength and perseverance you emanate.

Much love and Ty for reading and sharing your insightful sentiments.
🌹
xo

Long ago (when i was attending night college majoring in Child Development)
i did volunteer work as a counselor / facilitator for abused kids (ages 4 thru 12) in a rough part of San Diego, CA.

Some nights it broke my heart when the kids shared some of their experiences.
After a couple of yrs, i had to take a break to heal my inner self.
It was both rewarding and heart breaking.  i like to believe i was helping them.

Your spill took me back to those times.  thank You for sharing (spill & notes)

Ohhh my friend, the children... they'll crack you right open emotionally if you don't process and reconcile in some way. I can completely sympathize, T. It's so unbelievable to see exactly in person, what human beings are capable of. Both the truly despicable and the bravest of honorable.
I believe you were helping those children, too. Any ear of compassion is better than none.
I am glad I could resonate, even if it wasn't the most pleasant of memories, it allows for reflection of a time of helping to heal...
and that's never a bad thing.
I so appreciate the list add, your thoughtfulness and all of the caring light you put out into the world... it's always needed, and I for one, bask in it's shine....
Much love and respect,
🌹
xo

I like the author's note also, how you delve into the background of the poem & the harsh facts offered up. Sobering is what I make of it.

Hi, Billy :)
I thank you for reading, my friend
Yes, extremely sobering indeed
I also feel a bit of hopefulness, as I try to remain as positive as possible 🙆🏻‍♀️... I guess consciously optimistic is a better way to say it.

I always enjoy seeing you, Billy!!
My appreciation for you taking the time ☑
🌹
xo
-S

Ty for reading, my friend
Yeah, there's so much incredible darkness, it's hard not to become jaded - but the light shines bright sometimes... that's so true ;)
Ty for sharing your thoughts... I love reading them and being able to engage 🙏
Much love and respect,
🌹 💜 🌹
xoxo
B

Nice write.  Sad subject matter.  I like this.

Hi there Remy :)
Ty for sharing your thoughts and I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's lovely seeing you 🦋
I appreciate you taking the time you have and I hope you're enjoying DU.
Much love,
🌹
xo
B

I am, I appreciate you asking.  Looking at some the comments and ran across one that said look likes an upside guitar.  I agree.

Thank you ☺

Bruises both seen and unseen ... some heal some will continue to heal perpetually ... if allowed ... relate ... Bless and love ... ..

Ty for reading, FeNyX
I'm saddened to hear you relate, hopefully it's in a resonating way.. either way, I send my best loving vibes through the ether...
Your presence is always so welcomed, luv
🌹 💜 🌹
xoxo

Ty for reading and leaving your thoughts, Wilber. I know it's a bit heavy in the subject matter but it's been on my mind for a while to write about and I needed it out there. I so appreciate the list add, my friend...
I always look forward to your visits
Much love,
🌹
🇺🇸 💙 🇬🇧

Dearest, Lady Blue
What touched me most about this piece is your use of colors. Their mention seems so inocuous until one discovers that they describe the many shades of bruises...a very power message delivered in such an elegant way. Brava mi bonita conejita 🐻💋🐻💋🐻

I'm so appreciative of your read and the thoughtfulness in which you craft the comments that you leave, BB. I could read your different comments to those you cherish all day and see them as pure poetry, themselves. You are so cognizant and intentional, your true emotions shine so bright with such perfect summation. The adoration, I've read is intoxicating.
You were a born motivator, me thinks.

I appreciate you taking this small time with me
I am humbled that I was so deserving
-B