Love, Transitioned

On the 4th anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Air #17, I was again compelled by the juxtaposition of the features of the tragedy. Twisted steel in a vast field of sunflowers, and the extraordinary variety of lives whose potential transitioned with the destruction of the plane.

A previously unpublished poem in their honor and remembrance follows.

 

MALAYSIA AIR 17

Hope

of a

cure lying

among shards of

hull, body parts of

winged steed finding no ease

in human flesh. Souls’ ascent

past, only the carnage of tears

laments HIV among garish

still smoldering sunflowers. Politics

and humanity at odds. Researcher,

musician, scholar, author, comic,

academic, diplomat, nun,

human rights organizer,

teacher, 3 grandchildren,

1 of the world’s best

rescue pilots,

transitioned

into

Love.