UN Program Director News and Updates 2020
It did not take long into 2020 to see that this is going to be a tumultuous year. Democracy is under siege throughout the world. Authoritarianism, nationalism, and right wing politic are on the march. It is painful to watch the rise of these ideologies that we thought had disappeared from areas in the world. This scenario is playing out at the UN as well. There is a struggle for the enlightened ideas of progressive movements to triumph. Basic human rights are endangered. The United States has withdrawn from the Human Rights Council, giving a stronger voice to dictatorships because vision and moral leadership are lacking. The United States has also withdrawn financial resources, leaving many important programs struggling to survive. NGO's and activists worldwide have to work harder to try to keep from losing ground in the constant struggle to give voice to every human on earth. As artists/activist members of Women's Caucus for Art, we must each commit to work harder for a bright future. Onward and upward!
Maureen Burns-Bowie
Director: UN/NGO Program of WCA
Maureen Burns-Bowie
Director: UN/NGO Program of WCA
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UPDATE #1
The Secretary General, Antonio Gutuerres, warns of the "winds of madness" in 2020
UN
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UPDATE #2
Welcome To Our New Youth Representatives
Jacquelyn Apostolo
Being an elected member of student government, I speak. Expressing visual arts and creative writing as newfound liberations, a transformative reflection emerged in me – dreams I would otherwise struggle to articulate, a product of being raised in a culture which subconsciously oppresses and questions my capabilities or place of being a powerful leader as a woman who battled mental health. No longer wishing to allow judgments or notions to diminish my capabilities of helping others, I come to find that my endeavors with mental health have sharpened my newfound purpose, advocating and helping those who silently struggle. If we hear the sounds of other, we may learn that which has not yet been listened to.
After receiving my Mental Health First Aid certification, I began to attend multiple training sessions and conferences regarding progressive, constructive, and empathic ways for students, faculty members, and administrations to advocate for their needs or ideas in order to improve our campus for those currently here, and for those to come, redefining an understanding and by collaborations, with strides toward making mental health services available to students at Queensborough Community College. Additionally, my charcoal piece "I Won't Complain" has been showcased in the College’s Student Gallery exhibition “The Portrait Show,” a surreal depiction of conflicting emotions of overcoming fear. Previously, my abstract poetry and illustrative designs had been published in the 4th Edition of Collective, the College’s annual student literary journal. Entitled “Growth,” the 4th Edition was dedicated to exploring creative growth and identity. The Women’s Caucus for Art at the United Nations is a place where I would like to learn. I hope to do so in an environment that would foster that my growth as a leader. May peace and wellness be with you always.
Being an elected member of student government, I speak. Expressing visual arts and creative writing as newfound liberations, a transformative reflection emerged in me – dreams I would otherwise struggle to articulate, a product of being raised in a culture which subconsciously oppresses and questions my capabilities or place of being a powerful leader as a woman who battled mental health. No longer wishing to allow judgments or notions to diminish my capabilities of helping others, I come to find that my endeavors with mental health have sharpened my newfound purpose, advocating and helping those who silently struggle. If we hear the sounds of other, we may learn that which has not yet been listened to.
After receiving my Mental Health First Aid certification, I began to attend multiple training sessions and conferences regarding progressive, constructive, and empathic ways for students, faculty members, and administrations to advocate for their needs or ideas in order to improve our campus for those currently here, and for those to come, redefining an understanding and by collaborations, with strides toward making mental health services available to students at Queensborough Community College. Additionally, my charcoal piece "I Won't Complain" has been showcased in the College’s Student Gallery exhibition “The Portrait Show,” a surreal depiction of conflicting emotions of overcoming fear. Previously, my abstract poetry and illustrative designs had been published in the 4th Edition of Collective, the College’s annual student literary journal. Entitled “Growth,” the 4th Edition was dedicated to exploring creative growth and identity. The Women’s Caucus for Art at the United Nations is a place where I would like to learn. I hope to do so in an environment that would foster that my growth as a leader. May peace and wellness be with you always.
"Captured" by Jacquelyn Apostolo
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Madeline Seto
I believe that being involved in the Women’s Caucus for Art would be a great opportunity for me. I can bring a unique viewpoint to the table as an artist, and also as a Chinese-American woman. Currently, there are few Chinese-American women in roles of leadership, so I would like to become the representation that I want to see. I'm interested in intersectional feminism, women's rights, intercultural communication, representation and empowerment of marginalized groups, and issues of sustainability. Many of these topics cross over into one another, and I strongly believe that the more discussion that takes place, more action and change is able to happen. Participating in the Women’s Caucus for Art would allow me to develop myself even further, and to see how artists use their practice to be agents of positive change.
I find that it is incredibly moving and powerful when people can come together and unite. To see women uplifting other women, or other marginalized groups supporting one another especially leaves a profound personal impact. I believe that more of this support is what we need in present society. Folks need to work together, not against one another. We spend so much time on conflict that we aren’t moving towards a resolution, therefore delaying progress. I would love to see/understand how the members of the Women’s Caucus are able to collectively work together to use their skills as artists to help bring about societal change, and to understand how these skills are applied in real life situations.
As I am an evolving artist, I also wonder how my art can have an impact on others. How do I engage the audience or observer in critical thinking? How will my work be seen? How will I gain exposure? Many longstanding art institutions’ collections do not represent much work from marginalized populations, but this representation is crucial. Being a Chinese-American woman, I feel there is a lack of folks like me being represented in these institutions. This makes me wonder how I can fit into the art world that I strongly believe shouldn’t just be heterosexual, Anglo-Saxon and male, as this demographic has long dominated the art world and society as a whole. We need to allow room for other voices to be heard, reaffirming and validating marginalized identities. I hope to discover how the caucus members found their place, and to learn about their experiences.
During my time here at Queensborough, I’ve been able to come out of my shell and rediscover myself. I had initially come from a turbulent and atypical academic background, but at Queensborough I was able to start anew. With each semester, I’ve seen myself progress as a student, and I’ve reignited my curiosity and love of learning. I’ve become more involved and assertive in my class discussions, developed mentoring relationships with my professors, and have been taking advantage of the opportunities on campus. QCC has provided me the opportunity and environment to grow immensely - both academically, and personally. This change has been incredibly exciting, and I’ve been continually pushing my limits to see how far I can go. The Women’s Caucus for Art presents both an invaluable opportunity for self-development and an opportunity for me to gain experiences outside of the classroom.
Madeline Seto
I believe that being involved in the Women’s Caucus for Art would be a great opportunity for me. I can bring a unique viewpoint to the table as an artist, and also as a Chinese-American woman. Currently, there are few Chinese-American women in roles of leadership, so I would like to become the representation that I want to see. I'm interested in intersectional feminism, women's rights, intercultural communication, representation and empowerment of marginalized groups, and issues of sustainability. Many of these topics cross over into one another, and I strongly believe that the more discussion that takes place, more action and change is able to happen. Participating in the Women’s Caucus for Art would allow me to develop myself even further, and to see how artists use their practice to be agents of positive change.
I find that it is incredibly moving and powerful when people can come together and unite. To see women uplifting other women, or other marginalized groups supporting one another especially leaves a profound personal impact. I believe that more of this support is what we need in present society. Folks need to work together, not against one another. We spend so much time on conflict that we aren’t moving towards a resolution, therefore delaying progress. I would love to see/understand how the members of the Women’s Caucus are able to collectively work together to use their skills as artists to help bring about societal change, and to understand how these skills are applied in real life situations.
As I am an evolving artist, I also wonder how my art can have an impact on others. How do I engage the audience or observer in critical thinking? How will my work be seen? How will I gain exposure? Many longstanding art institutions’ collections do not represent much work from marginalized populations, but this representation is crucial. Being a Chinese-American woman, I feel there is a lack of folks like me being represented in these institutions. This makes me wonder how I can fit into the art world that I strongly believe shouldn’t just be heterosexual, Anglo-Saxon and male, as this demographic has long dominated the art world and society as a whole. We need to allow room for other voices to be heard, reaffirming and validating marginalized identities. I hope to discover how the caucus members found their place, and to learn about their experiences.
During my time here at Queensborough, I’ve been able to come out of my shell and rediscover myself. I had initially come from a turbulent and atypical academic background, but at Queensborough I was able to start anew. With each semester, I’ve seen myself progress as a student, and I’ve reignited my curiosity and love of learning. I’ve become more involved and assertive in my class discussions, developed mentoring relationships with my professors, and have been taking advantage of the opportunities on campus. QCC has provided me the opportunity and environment to grow immensely - both academically, and personally. This change has been incredibly exciting, and I’ve been continually pushing my limits to see how far I can go. The Women’s Caucus for Art presents both an invaluable opportunity for self-development and an opportunity for me to gain experiences outside of the classroom.
Madeline Seto
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UPDATE #3
Kelly Craft: Trump's New UN Ambassador
"I don't have a great grasp on how the UN works"
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UPDATE #4
WCA Georgia Chapter Exhibition
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UPDATE #5
Dara Herman Zierlein
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UPDATE #6
UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS -- MARCH 20
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UPDATE #7
As the US withdraws from WHO, seventy seven percent of Americans trust the UN's World Health Organization (WHO) to properly handle the global response to the coronavirus
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UPDATE #8
Post on Facebook page by Global Feminist Perspectives:
Jacinda Ardern:
She is the first Prime Minister to have dealt with a terrorist attack, a volcanic eruption, climate change reforms, and a pandemic all in one term in office -- while holding a baby. So please sit down, shut up, and let the woman get on with the job.
Jacinda Ardern:
She is the first Prime Minister to have dealt with a terrorist attack, a volcanic eruption, climate change reforms, and a pandemic all in one term in office -- while holding a baby. So please sit down, shut up, and let the woman get on with the job.
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UPDATE #9
EARTH DAY APRIL 22, 2020
50TH ANNIVERSARY
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UPDATE #10
THE FLOWERS ARE BURNING.....OCEANS A RISING
In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
A Collaborative Art and Climate Justice Project
By Helen Klebesadel and Mary Kay Neumann
"Subterranean Homesick Blues: Corals in Crisis Series" 22x30, Collaboratively Painted Watercolor on paper by Mary Kay and
Helen Klebesadel
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We have created a collaborative watercolor exhibition to celebrate the
50th Anniversary of Earth Day.
The exhibition is focused on the situation of our Earth's Oceans...
which is mostly out of sight yet affects every single human and creature on this sacred planet we call home.
Tragically, COVID-19 has disrupted lives across the globe, much as new diseases have affected the world beneath the waves.
Our plans for a physical exhibition were halted by the pandemic
so we are bringing this digital exhibition directly to you.
It feels urgent to us to pass on the messages from the
Ocean because... everything is connected.
"Grief can be the garden of compassion.
If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom."
- Rumi
It is our deepest hope that viewing our images and text will remind our audience of the interconnection of each of us and
the health of our planet.
As our human family faces the inevitable new normal in our future,
may we remember the messages that Nature is sending that
everything and everyone is connected
so we can ACT
to create the better, kinder, more balanced world
that we want to live in....together.
What do YOU love in nature that needs protecting?
What are you moved to DO in response?
Please enjoy our collaborative endeavor
and please feel free to pass this on:
The Flowers Are Burning...Oceans A Rising
DIGITAL EXHIBITION
Sending wishes of care, health, and compassion to all.
Mary Kay Neumann's website
Helen Klebesadel's website
Helen Klebesadel
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We have created a collaborative watercolor exhibition to celebrate the
50th Anniversary of Earth Day.
The exhibition is focused on the situation of our Earth's Oceans...
which is mostly out of sight yet affects every single human and creature on this sacred planet we call home.
Tragically, COVID-19 has disrupted lives across the globe, much as new diseases have affected the world beneath the waves.
Our plans for a physical exhibition were halted by the pandemic
so we are bringing this digital exhibition directly to you.
It feels urgent to us to pass on the messages from the
Ocean because... everything is connected.
"Grief can be the garden of compassion.
If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom."
- Rumi
It is our deepest hope that viewing our images and text will remind our audience of the interconnection of each of us and
the health of our planet.
As our human family faces the inevitable new normal in our future,
may we remember the messages that Nature is sending that
everything and everyone is connected
so we can ACT
to create the better, kinder, more balanced world
that we want to live in....together.
What do YOU love in nature that needs protecting?
What are you moved to DO in response?
Please enjoy our collaborative endeavor
and please feel free to pass this on:
The Flowers Are Burning...Oceans A Rising
DIGITAL EXHIBITION
Sending wishes of care, health, and compassion to all.
Mary Kay Neumann's website
Helen Klebesadel's website
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UPDATE #11
UN Program member Betsy Damon's upcoming book, "The People's Water", with a forward by Jane Goodall, is a handbook which combines art, science, and engineering to describe water as the foundation of all life. It is designed as an activist toolkit to educate us about how to protect this vital resource.
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UPDATE #12
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UPDATE #13
Madeline Seto - Youth Representative
2020 has unfolded to be a very different picture than I ever expected it would be. I had multiple opportunities coming up. I was going to attend UN DPI/NGO briefings at the UN as a Youth Representative for the Women’s Caucus for Art, I was going to go to Austria as a part of the Salzburg Global Citizenship Alliance program, and I was going to graduate with my associate degree, and then go to Chicago to pursue my Bachelor of Fine Art degree. It seemed like it would be an exciting year. However, things did not go to plan – for any of us. During this unprecedented time, I had to face not only myself, but also the jarring societal inequalities that have risen to the surface.
I used to think that I was lucky to be an American and, in a lot of ways, it is a privilege - at least in the position that I am in. I have been fortunate that I have a stable family, food, and shelter. I have not had to experience the traumas of being displaced from another culture/country, since I was born here.
When I was younger, I thought that America was the greatest country in the world. My father told me that I was lucky to be in America, compared to living in China. I thought that it was the land of the 'free.' When I learned about Manifest Destiny in middle school, westward expansion seemed like a victory. I saw myself on the side of the Americans, even though I had no relation to them. Those were not my ancestors; my ancestors were still living in China and would not come to the United States for another few hundred years.
Now that I am older, I know differently. I am more aware of how I am perceived, and that Asian Americans are still largely seen as outsiders. I understand now that Manifest Destiny was not a victory - it was a conquest, and it was a bloody one. There was a massive sacrifice to claim that land, but it was ‘ok’ because we ‘won.’ The entitlement that was present in those times is still present today. The American attitude is still to conquer and dominate, to gain at any cost, even if it is at the cost of human lives. And 400 years later, this attitude still prevails. The priority is still to protect capitalism and property over human lives. Why is that?
Although I question it, the answer is clear. It is to uphold these current and longstanding traditions of oppression. Of course, those in power do not want to give up their position. Why would they? If your position benefits you, why give it up? Injustice is not going to undo itself when it is so profitable.
So how do we achieve change? How do we achieve justice and make the world fairer? How do we increase empathy and understanding? How do we create a future that is better for all?
There is no simple answer, no panacea unfortunately. I have little faith in the government, as it is not looking out for the interests of most of this country’s citizens. We have seen where the government’s priorities currently lie, clearly. We continue to defund education and social services, while we overfund the military and cut taxes for corporations. How is it that the cost of one police officer’s riot gear could buy personal protection equipment for 33 healthcare workers? Living in this country is becoming less and less attainable for many, and increasingly advantageous to the few in power. We see an attitude of selfishness seeping into our society. When we think about justice, we must think about it from multiple views. This pandemic has exposed the holes in our society. We no longer live in a society where we can be isolated from one another. We are too interconnected, too deep in globalization to go back to that state. It is just not possible. At this point we must learn how to work together if we are to progress as a society – if we are to have a future. That is what has been the hardest part.
During this quarantine period, one of the UN events that we covered was a press conference on the “Launch of the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan.” The United States decided to pull funding from the World Health Organization, taking a concerning isolationist stance. When we do not help the most vulnerable, we end up sabotaging ourselves. Ironically, for a nation that seems to love ‘tradition,’ we could stand to take a lesson from history. During the Industrial Revolution, the upper class wanted to have nothing to do with the lower class because they thought that they brought disease to them. However, they realized that they needed the lower class to maintain their own status. To stay healthy, they must preserve the health of the lower class. The same principles apply today, on a global scale. We cannot ignore a problem and wish it away. We also see this happening locally in our own country. Lower income neighborhoods have a higher rate of having pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. We see that with the COVID-19 pandemic these communities are being affected disproportionately, with black and brown folks dying at alarming rates. Racism and stratification have a measurable impact on people’s health. We must treat the problem – and treat it everywhere. If it exists in one place, we are all at risk. If only one part of society is prospering while the other side is suffering, that is not a healthy society.
In contrast, we also covered some past briefings that highlighted society’s potential for good. We viewed the “A Matter of Humanity: The Rescue of Jews in Albania during the Holocaust” and “Focus on Faith: Planting and Nurturing the Seed of Climate Responsibility.” Both briefings reminded me that humanity does have the capability to do good. Even in challenging times, we can and must support one another. The Albanian rescue of Jews was much needed reminder that there are people in the world who do the right thing – not because they were told to, but because of their own character. They knew it was the right thing to do, even if it put themselves at risk. The “Focus on Faith” briefing also brought me hope. Leaders from various religions put their differences aside to discuss the bigger issue at hand. Not only that, but they were acknowledging how they each could promote sustainability in their individual religions. To see that flexibility in mindset, to be able to collaborate globally and cross-culturally, is something I hope to see more of.
The more that I see, the more that I believe that change will have to come from the bottom up. We must take it into our own hands. The top down is not as effective as it claims to be - while it helps to have elected officials who are on your side, there are still obstacles and opposition. Grassroots activism and building movements in local communities can create impact, even if it is not widespread. The more of these movements, perhaps they can spread enough that they can create a web - like a 'wood wide web' (i.e., mycelium networks). There also needs to be more support for current organizations that are making differences in improving disparities across groups. For example, the CUNY ASAP Program (Accelerated Study in Associate Programs) has a real impact, helping students to pursue higher education. They remove many of the obstacles that prevent students from getting their degree by providing tuition waivers, free MetroCards, advisement, and textbook stipends so that these outside factors are not an issue. Students can focus on their studies and getting their degree. This program has the data to prove its success and it really does make a difference. However, this program is not everywhere. It is available through the CUNY system, but not nationwide. We see some bottom-up change currently happening, as protests are raising society’s awareness of the role policing plays into systemic racism.
As Elie Wiesel said, “The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.” Silence is complicity, and it is critical that those in power listen to the voices of the most vulnerable. We will be all the better for it if we help those in need. Although the future is uncertain, I have hope that change is coming, and that there is a brighter future for all.
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UPDATE# 14
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UPDATE #15
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UPDATE # 16
Our beloved Youth Representative Mentor, Kebedech Tekleab, has been included in the
Archive of Poetry International:
__ጣት ወዳጁን ሲያጣ
እንዲህ እንዳሁኑ
ብዕር እንደዋዛ ተዘንግቶ ሳይቀር
ጣት ወዳጁን አጥቶ መሬት ሳይቆረቁር
የብሶት ተካፋይ ንፁሕ ብራና አጥቶ
ለምድር ሳይናገር
ተቀባይ ሳያጣ መልዕክት የሚያሰፍር
ሁሉም በየመልኩ ይሰፍር ነበረ
ለመጻፍ ተነስቶ ብዕር ካመረረ
ካንጀት ካመረረ ደም ይተፋል ብዕር
ቢያጥቡት የማይነጻ ቢቀቡት የማይሽር
እሳት ቢጨምሩት ነዲድ ሆኖ እሚገር
ደረቁ ብራና እንዲህ ሳይወረዛ
ተዘንግቶ ሳይቀር ብዕር እንደዋዛ።
ነጋሪት ሳይጎሽም ጽንፍን ያዳርሳል
ፍላፃው ሳይታይ ወርውሮ ያቆስላል
ያለውን አፍርሶ አዲስ ይገነባል።
እንዲህ ሳይገታ ወሰን ተሰርቶለት
ሕሊናም እንደግር ሰንሰለት ታስሮለት
በእንስሳት ደረጃ ምኞቱ አዘቅዝቆ
የማደግ ስሜቱ አእምሮውን ለቆ
ጎህ ሲቀድ ለዕለት ሲመሽ ለሌሊቱ
ሥጋው ትብያ እንዳይሆን እንዳይፈርስ አጥንቱ
ሕልሙ ይሄ ሆኖ ሥጋቱ ፍራቱ
ብዕር ጓደኛውን ጣትን ሳይዘነጋ
ምድሪቱን ቆርቁሮ ለሷ ሳያወጋ
አዕምሮ ሲቆስል እሱ ደም ይተፋል
ቀለሙ ኃይል አለው በመልኩ ያቀልማል።
ተዘንግቶ ሳይቀር እንዲህ እንደዋዛ
የመኖር ፍላጎት ሕሊናን ሳይገዛ
ያኔ ታዛዥ ሳለ ላንጋፋው አዕምሮ
መልክቱን በቀለም በብራናው ጭሮ
ይናገር ነበረ ብዕር አፍ አውጥቶ
አርቆ ይበራል አክናፉን ዜርግቶ
አሮጌው ንዶ፤ አዲሱን መስርቶ።
ካንጀት ከወደደ ካደነቀ ዓለምን
እንደ ቀሳሚ ንብ ባበባ እንዳረፈ
ከቀሰመ ፍቅርን
ይጽፍ ነበር ብዕር የውበት ውዳሴን
የተፈጥሮ ትንግርት የዓለም ሱታፌን።
በጥዑመ-ቃሉ ጣዕም እየሰጠ
በኪነት ለሳኑ ልብ እየመሰጠ
ወዶ እያስወደደ ቤተ-ፍቅር አንፆ
ፍቅረ-ላህይ ገልጾ
ዬራሱን አፍቅሮት ባንባቢው አስርፆ
የውበት ዓይኑንም ለሌላው ለግሶ
እዩበት ይል ነበር ያልታየውን ዳሶ።
እንዲህ እንዳሁኑ
ብዕር እንደዋዛ ተዘንግቶ ሳይቀር
የብሶት ተካፋይ ንጹሕ ብራና አጥቶ
ለምድር ሳይናገር።
BEFORE MY FINGER LOSES ITS BEST FRIEND
Before my finger loses its best friend,
before it casually forgets its pen
and begins tapping on the ground;
before the clean sheet disappears
on which it pours out its complaint,
conversing with the world;
before it gives away the means to write
its message, share the panorama
of its thoughts using a pen determined
to write soberly, and when it’s sober,
writes in blood-red ink, un-wash-away-able!
and if anybody tries to scrub its writing off
or over-paint, it flares up and if they try
to burn it down the dry sheet will turn wet;
before my finger casually forgets its pen…
without a drum-beat, it can carry
across borders, without an arrow
it will penetrate the eye,
demolish buildings, put up new ones,
it will never be confined, because the mind
cannot be chained like legs, its dreams
cannot be lowered to subhuman levels;
before its aspiration will evaporate,
at day-break when night fades to protect flesh
from lifting off the bone and changing into dust,
when mind is deep in worry about enemies,
before a pen loses sight of its best friend,
before it starts talking to the ground by tapping on it,
when the brain is restless, bleeds a little,
when imagination is all-powerful, bright red,
before anything is casually forgotten,
before the mind sells out in order to survive,
when it is docile to its inner consciousness,
writes down its message, ink on paper –
now the pen speaks, spreads its wings, flies
endless distances, demolishes the old, builds new…
and if the pen falls in love soberly,
like a bee sucking droplets from a flower,
if it sips love from the inkpot,
then it will write in praise of beauty,
how the world is blessed with wonders,
beautiful words will beautify its work,
enchant its readers with artistic voice,
put love into the house it builds,
removing the old view, replacing with its own,
so readers see love through the pen’s
eye, a pen’s precise perspective…
as hopefully is happening now,
before my finger casually forgets its friend
or the clean sheet of paper disappears
on which it pours out this complaint,
before my pen finds itself speaking to the floor!
© 2020, Kebedech Tekleab
© Translation: 2020, Chris Beckett and Alemu Tebeje
From: Songs We Learn From Trees
Publisher: Carcanet Classics, Manchester, 2020, 978-1784109479
Translator's Note: [written during the poet’s 10 year detention in a Somali prison]
እንዲህ እንዳሁኑ
ብዕር እንደዋዛ ተዘንግቶ ሳይቀር
ጣት ወዳጁን አጥቶ መሬት ሳይቆረቁር
የብሶት ተካፋይ ንፁሕ ብራና አጥቶ
ለምድር ሳይናገር
ተቀባይ ሳያጣ መልዕክት የሚያሰፍር
ሁሉም በየመልኩ ይሰፍር ነበረ
ለመጻፍ ተነስቶ ብዕር ካመረረ
ካንጀት ካመረረ ደም ይተፋል ብዕር
ቢያጥቡት የማይነጻ ቢቀቡት የማይሽር
እሳት ቢጨምሩት ነዲድ ሆኖ እሚገር
ደረቁ ብራና እንዲህ ሳይወረዛ
ተዘንግቶ ሳይቀር ብዕር እንደዋዛ።
ነጋሪት ሳይጎሽም ጽንፍን ያዳርሳል
ፍላፃው ሳይታይ ወርውሮ ያቆስላል
ያለውን አፍርሶ አዲስ ይገነባል።
እንዲህ ሳይገታ ወሰን ተሰርቶለት
ሕሊናም እንደግር ሰንሰለት ታስሮለት
በእንስሳት ደረጃ ምኞቱ አዘቅዝቆ
የማደግ ስሜቱ አእምሮውን ለቆ
ጎህ ሲቀድ ለዕለት ሲመሽ ለሌሊቱ
ሥጋው ትብያ እንዳይሆን እንዳይፈርስ አጥንቱ
ሕልሙ ይሄ ሆኖ ሥጋቱ ፍራቱ
ብዕር ጓደኛውን ጣትን ሳይዘነጋ
ምድሪቱን ቆርቁሮ ለሷ ሳያወጋ
አዕምሮ ሲቆስል እሱ ደም ይተፋል
ቀለሙ ኃይል አለው በመልኩ ያቀልማል።
ተዘንግቶ ሳይቀር እንዲህ እንደዋዛ
የመኖር ፍላጎት ሕሊናን ሳይገዛ
ያኔ ታዛዥ ሳለ ላንጋፋው አዕምሮ
መልክቱን በቀለም በብራናው ጭሮ
ይናገር ነበረ ብዕር አፍ አውጥቶ
አርቆ ይበራል አክናፉን ዜርግቶ
አሮጌው ንዶ፤ አዲሱን መስርቶ።
ካንጀት ከወደደ ካደነቀ ዓለምን
እንደ ቀሳሚ ንብ ባበባ እንዳረፈ
ከቀሰመ ፍቅርን
ይጽፍ ነበር ብዕር የውበት ውዳሴን
የተፈጥሮ ትንግርት የዓለም ሱታፌን።
በጥዑመ-ቃሉ ጣዕም እየሰጠ
በኪነት ለሳኑ ልብ እየመሰጠ
ወዶ እያስወደደ ቤተ-ፍቅር አንፆ
ፍቅረ-ላህይ ገልጾ
ዬራሱን አፍቅሮት ባንባቢው አስርፆ
የውበት ዓይኑንም ለሌላው ለግሶ
እዩበት ይል ነበር ያልታየውን ዳሶ።
እንዲህ እንዳሁኑ
ብዕር እንደዋዛ ተዘንግቶ ሳይቀር
የብሶት ተካፋይ ንጹሕ ብራና አጥቶ
ለምድር ሳይናገር።
BEFORE MY FINGER LOSES ITS BEST FRIEND
Before my finger loses its best friend,
before it casually forgets its pen
and begins tapping on the ground;
before the clean sheet disappears
on which it pours out its complaint,
conversing with the world;
before it gives away the means to write
its message, share the panorama
of its thoughts using a pen determined
to write soberly, and when it’s sober,
writes in blood-red ink, un-wash-away-able!
and if anybody tries to scrub its writing off
or over-paint, it flares up and if they try
to burn it down the dry sheet will turn wet;
before my finger casually forgets its pen…
without a drum-beat, it can carry
across borders, without an arrow
it will penetrate the eye,
demolish buildings, put up new ones,
it will never be confined, because the mind
cannot be chained like legs, its dreams
cannot be lowered to subhuman levels;
before its aspiration will evaporate,
at day-break when night fades to protect flesh
from lifting off the bone and changing into dust,
when mind is deep in worry about enemies,
before a pen loses sight of its best friend,
before it starts talking to the ground by tapping on it,
when the brain is restless, bleeds a little,
when imagination is all-powerful, bright red,
before anything is casually forgotten,
before the mind sells out in order to survive,
when it is docile to its inner consciousness,
writes down its message, ink on paper –
now the pen speaks, spreads its wings, flies
endless distances, demolishes the old, builds new…
and if the pen falls in love soberly,
like a bee sucking droplets from a flower,
if it sips love from the inkpot,
then it will write in praise of beauty,
how the world is blessed with wonders,
beautiful words will beautify its work,
enchant its readers with artistic voice,
put love into the house it builds,
removing the old view, replacing with its own,
so readers see love through the pen’s
eye, a pen’s precise perspective…
as hopefully is happening now,
before my finger casually forgets its friend
or the clean sheet of paper disappears
on which it pours out this complaint,
before my pen finds itself speaking to the floor!
© 2020, Kebedech Tekleab
© Translation: 2020, Chris Beckett and Alemu Tebeje
From: Songs We Learn From Trees
Publisher: Carcanet Classics, Manchester, 2020, 978-1784109479
Translator's Note: [written during the poet’s 10 year detention in a Somali prison]
_____________________
UPDATE # 17
We have lost two giants we could not afford to lose right now. Portraits by Joan Baez
_______________________
UPDATE # 18
Marcia Annenberg in an online exhibition curated by Karen Gutfruend:
NOT NORMAL, ART IN THE AGE OF TRUMP
curated by activist curator Karen M. Gutfreund
The book Not Normal: Art in the Age of Trump by Karen M. Gutfreund, released July 2020, documents this artistic movement in a curated collection of art featuring the work of 147 artists.
http://karengutfreund.com/not-normal-art-in-the-age-of-trump/
This is a lasting, eye-catching, and impactful testament to the opposition movement against President Trump and the destructive, divisive, and hate-filled climate he has created as our country’s 45th President.
M Annenberg’s artwork KING GEORGE’s REVENGE was selected to be included..
King George’s Revenge
c. 2019 - Mixed media, 44 inches x 30 inches
This installation illustrates the corruption and coverup behind news suppression and government collusion with private enterprise.
Simon Edelman was fired for photographing Energy Secretary Rick Perry hugging coal magnate Bob Murray, exposing the energy policy of America as it was becoming compromised. Dirty energy from coal was put on life support, to withstand market pressure from natural gas, solar and wind.
_________________________
UPDATE #19
If wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire. George Monbiot
SUSTAINABLE HUMAN:
When hard work is not rewarded with wealth, you know your economic system is corrupt.
__________________________
UPDATE #20
ANNOUNCING ONLINE PUBLICATION "BEIJING JOURNAL"
A DOCUMENTARY JOURNAL CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
OF WCA ARTIST/ACTIVISTS WHO ATTENDED
THE UNITED NATIONS FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN
BEIJING CHINA 1995
