The year 2020 was the year
grief wrapped itself around our bones
and tightened its grip
as thousands of spirits were ripped from flesh
and hurled into the night sky
The year 2020 was also the year
the cup of injustice overflowed
with rage embracing bitterness
while history demanded
closer scrutiny
The year 2020 will be remembered as
the beginning
the end
the turning point
the arrow that pierced
hope reborn
beauty for ashes
and not simply
as the year of fires and screams
© Vivian Zems
Poets and Storytellers#24, hosted by Rommy
Smell The Coffee 
June 14, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Oh, I hope with all my heart that 2020 is the turning point for hope being reborn!
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June 16, 2020 at 12:26 am
Amen!
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June 14, 2020 at 4:47 pm
I hope it will end in a world better than when it started.
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June 16, 2020 at 12:26 am
I hope so too. Thanks Sadje 🙂
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June 14, 2020 at 5:15 pm
It must be a turning point.
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June 16, 2020 at 12:21 am
Indeed!
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June 14, 2020 at 5:31 pm
It’s difficult putting 2020 into some sort of perspective, you managed it beautifully. Here’s to better years. Cheers.
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June 16, 2020 at 12:11 am
Absolutely, Amen!
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June 14, 2020 at 5:52 pm
This is so evocative! We are in the middle of June and half the year has passed amid the horror of the virus and deaths. I hope there is a turning point soon!
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June 16, 2020 at 12:11 am
I hope so too, Sanaa!
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June 15, 2020 at 12:46 am
Well said, Vivian. I pray it is the year of meaningful change.
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June 16, 2020 at 12:09 am
Amen!
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June 15, 2020 at 4:56 am
Love the poem – and I do hope and pray it will be a year of the new beginning.
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June 16, 2020 at 12:05 am
I hope so, too. Thanks Rosemary!
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June 15, 2020 at 7:11 am
Powerful, well-worded poem about loss, change and the hope something good comes from it
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June 16, 2020 at 12:04 am
Thanks Marja! 🙂
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June 15, 2020 at 7:18 am
I just hope that we all do learn something from this crisis but sadly while we wish that the governance of most countries is driven by greed and soon the catastrophe will be but a memory of the past. Let’s hope I am wrong. A great poem Vivian.
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June 16, 2020 at 12:04 am
Thanks Robin! 🙂
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June 15, 2020 at 8:24 am
An eloquent capture of the horrors of this year so far, Viv, especially
‘grief wrapped itself around our bones
and tightened its grip’
and
‘the cup of injustice overflowed
with rage embracing bitterness
while history demanded
closer scrutiny.’
One positive, it has passed quickly, even though the days sometimes seemed to drag.We can only live in hope.
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June 16, 2020 at 12:03 am
Thanks Kim 🙂
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June 15, 2020 at 4:11 pm
i love how your poem ended with empowering words. that’s so powerful.
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June 16, 2020 at 12:03 am
Thank you 🙂
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June 17, 2020 at 3:13 am
I suspect 2020 will be the year all other years stare at–with a mixture of pity and frustration–when the 2000s get together for their millennial reunion.
And goodness, the last stanza goes right for the heart… still screaming.
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June 18, 2020 at 11:21 am
Thanks Magaly!
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