A witness to disaster

In the past week the events that have unfolded in Haiti and the destruction caused by a natural event has been painful to watch. It also seems to illustrate the lack of infrastructure this poor country in the caribe has endured for some time making it all the more susceptible to such a disaster. I make a parallel with the country of Cuba, a place I visited many times between 1996-1999. This is the writing I extend;





Cuba
(The one that I saw)

The common sun
melts in the distance
like some fallen ember
from a larger vision–
your bright red star fading
(Another day closes).

Darkness surrounds you
even on your sun-filled days,
and the wicked stench of rot
&decay overcome even those
hard-pressed in want to olfactor
such unpleasantry.

Why?– Why?– Why?–
has so much gone
to being so paltry, so particular.

The futile days that still lay ahead
and the slow-steady pace,
of keen failure and delapidated grandeur
enmeshed in your perplexity.

And, your indomitable people,
ever-patient; ever-economic;
waiting, and waiting, and waiting...
For the new sun to rise
and the island winds to bring prevailing change.