In today's Caribbean Literature class, we discussed Haitian Poets. The discussion was a part of the Haitian, surrounding the novel FARMING OF BONES. Of all the poems we read this morning, this one in particular spoke to me. It is short and to the point. It is one of those poems that make you think introspectively, really consider your values. For me it confirms something in my soul, one of my highest convictions even though I have had trouble reasoning around it. While I subscribe to non-violent views, I am not a pacifist. Also the poem brings about the hypocrisy of power and control, especially how it has plagued political conditions in Latin American. One side or the other usually results in some sort of massive violence. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this powerful poem as much I do. Feel free to share your thoughts.
Gun
By Frantz Kiki Wainwright
gun talks
gun can kata kata kata
pan pan pan
paw paw paw
gun talks all languages
gun is polyglot
it kills
it talks
it talks the language of freedom
it kills whoever talks
the language of freedom
gun is on both sides
2 comments:
As promised, I would meet at the "End of the Street" and send a comment a little time after you posted your entry on "Guns". Your entry approaches the meditative and spiritual, while achieving the oft difficult task of bringing those aspects back to earth.
My initial discovery of the "Guns" poem begun as a search for a Haitian poem for an assignment to be done in class, evolved into an activity done by a group of students in Caribbean Literature II, and blossomed into an insightful blogger entry that is now permanently stored in the the 'good word' of the internets.
Now how do we contact Frantz Kiki Wainwright or his spirit?
and the Good Teacher speaks!
I think the secret lays in balance, as most things in life. Frantz Wainwright is not a pacifist as seen in his other works, but he is not voilent either. It would be hypocritical, in my opinion, to take life in order to preserve life (even if it is my own). Life is still lost, regardless of who is in power.
Once a great teacher told me not to get overly emotion when I respond to the injustices in society. I think the same principle applies, but much more disciplined and reasonable. I think this is the problem with most revolutions. I am not saying that some of them were not necessary, but many of them could have been avoided, addressing issues without voilence, same way I can resolve issues without screaming at someone.
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