in the street of money in the city of money in the country of money,
our great country of money, we (forgive us)lived happily during the war.
- Ilya Kaminsky
I return often to the poet Ilya Kaminsky’s words during times of crisis and rarely have they been more apt than now. I’m trying to strike a balance between doomscrolling news sources and staying informed - is there even a “right” way to cope with this kind of tragedy anymore?
The hypocrisy evident in responses to Ukraine’s plight are illogical and upsetting. Many people currently sharing “pray for Ukraine” graphics on social media are the same ones who less than two years ago voted for Donald Trump, who recently called Vladimir Putin “very savvy,” to say nothing of his Pro-Russia rhetoric during his time in office. Supporting nationalistic, extremist leaders leaves the door open for these kinds of harmful ideologies to flourish world over.
And I wonder, will these same people open their arms and hearts to refugees of this war who settle in their communities? Perhaps these refugees - white, predominantly Christian - will prove more palatable than those from, well, anywhere else? Media coverage has already displayed racist overtones and it behooves us to pay close attention to whom we extend our sympathies.
I’m grateful to those who have reached out with concern. My husband is from Bulgaria and we’re fearful that this war could escalate and cross borders. Our hearts are with our loves ones abroad who feel this crisis more closely and deeply.
Eastern Europe is my second home; it has nourished my soul and offered a safe place to land during difficult times. This is not to paint the entire region with the same broad brush, but rather to say that my heart aches for a part of the world that has been unallowed to flourish to its full capability and continues to be used as a bargaining chip in others’ battle for dominance.
For those looking to donate, the below link was vetted by an acquaintance who works for the US Department of State.
What I read this month:
Poetry: Shiner by Maggie Nelson; Something Bright, Then Holes by Maggie Nelson; Yellow Rain by Mai Der Vang; Invasive Species by Marwa Helal
Fiction: Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo
Nonfiction: The Right to Sex: Feminism in the 21st Century by Amia Srinivasan; Having and Being Had by Eula Biss; The Song Poet by Kao Kalia Yang; The Natural Mother of the Child: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenting by Krys Malcolm Belc
ars poetica 3: things we did happily during the war
With great deference to his work shared above, I let Ilya Kaminsky’s poem guide my anger and frustration, knowing that I’m a barely a witness to the kind of trauma he writes about.
Friends, that’s all I have in me for this month. Hug your loves ones, donate if you are able, and get your information from vetted sources. We can hope beyond hope that this war will be over soon, but there are important and impactful actions to be taken in the meantime.
- caroline