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A previously unpublished poem in their honor and remembrance follows.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.