Happy Poetry Friday!
dance hanukkah flames
spread light and freedom, fill hearts
with joy and hope!
© Michelle Kogan
Here’s a short solstice haiku, welcoming winter and more light each day…
solstice soirée
breathe… live… love…laugh,
and help someone.
© 2022 Michelle Kogan
draft
As my thoughts continue on with the brave Ukrainians, I’m sharing the beginning of Ukrainian American poet Ilya Kaminsky’s poem,
WE LIVED HAPPILY DURING THE WAR
And when they bombed other people’s houses, we
protested
but not enough, we opposed them but not
enough. I was
in my bed, around my bed America
was falling: invisible house by invisible house by invisible house.
I took a chair outside and watched the sun.
read the rest of the poem here.
Read commentary about the poem and poet here.
Here is Ilya Kaminsky’s website, where you will find some of his books, poetry, and more.
Ilya Kaminsky’s along with Rob Lipton together have a GoFundMe campaign targeted to help Writers and Newspapers in Odesa, you can find out about it, and make a donation here. Rob Lipton is new to me, here is his poem Darwish Sits In, and a review of his poetry book Complex Bravery.
Irene Latham at her blog Live Your Poem is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Irene, be sure to stop by!
Wishes for Peace & Happy Holidays to all!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Thank you for this rich post with all the wonderful links. I love the video and the opportunity to support the journalism/writing community in Odessa. Your solstice haiku is heartfelt–help someone. It’s what we all must do.
Peace and happy holidays to you, Michelle! Thanks for all you give. I love thinking of those dancing Hanukkah flames. xo
To help is to live one’s life well, as I wonder how it can continue happening for those in Ukraine & then those in our own Congress make fun makes me rage at their inability to have compassion. I have read his poems, Michelle, and thanks for the additional article and for your own hope for better! Thanks for every part of this special post.
Thank you for sharing Kaminsky and Lipton! My heart is with the Ukranian people, but like your poem says, I need to do something (more) to help someone!
I love the idea that the Solstice can bring not just light and hope, but also help for others.
As always, your blog shares such deeply emotional topics of a universal nature. The artwork brings life to a light with flames deeply seated in joy and hope. May your holidays be filled with commitment to your artwork and beliefs that lead us into a new year, Michelle.
How much can we all relate to, “…but not enough”? But you’ve offered us hope, too, and light. Thanks, Michelle.