It’s Poet’s Choice for this week’s challenge at Colleen Chesebro’s Word Craft Poetry ‘Tanka Tuesday Challenge’. I’ve written a Haibun with a Senyru.
Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge, #Poet’sChoice
WELCOME TO TANKA TUESDAY!
It’s the first of the month and you know what that means! Poets, choose your own syllabic poetry form, theme, words, images, etc. It’s up to you!
Numbing the Numbers
Fifty, one hundred and fifty, one thousand, ten thousand, one hundred thousand – give or take, and tens of thousands more.
Easy to discard emotions when we speak in numbers and not in humans.
When numbers grow exponentially we tend to lose perspective, and shock value of the severity of escalating numbers.
How long does it take to count to 100,000? Not just random numbers, each digit representing a human life.
Just how many ‘ones’ would it take to count into the hundred thousands?
If we were to know every one of the thousands who’ve perished because of a pandemic, our hearts couldn’t survive the grief. So, it’s easier to speak in numbers than to imagine thousands of ghostly faces.
But it’s not.
Don’t become immune to numbers.
Keep your face covered
Have respect for fellow man
Stay safely distanced.
©DGKaye2020
Visit Colleen’s blog for original post and to hop on the challenge!
DGKayewriter.com 
Another powerful piece Debby, bringing those figures sharply into focus… I hope there will be lessons learnt from this few months… hugs ♥♥
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Thank you Sal. Poetry is a wonderful way to unload burdening thoughts. There area multitude of lessons for sure. ❤ xox
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That’s a great senryu, sis. I wish everyone would listen to your wise words. ❤
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My bad, yes, I wrote the wrong term will fix, my bad. Thank you. I write what sits at the forefront of my mind. I truly can’t be the only one thinking about this, but I will continue to write about. ❤
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Numbers are easier on the emotions, that’s for sure. Much easier than watching the videos of people in hospitals or burials. You are so fortunate to be in a country that’s safely and sensibly dealing with the pandemic. It’s out of control in the US. Not surprising given the out of control leader.
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Exactly my point John – numbers are much easier to dismiss. I am aghast and disheartened for my American friends – the American people. I follow very closely – probably too close, but hey, I live just over an hour away from a New York border. I made it my business to pay attention. Appalling is my one-word summation. Stay safe and masked my friend. 🙂
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Masked at all times outside the car, away from home. Thanks!
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Of course you are! Glad to hear John. 🙂
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A sad haibun/senyru, Debbie. Also full of heart and a call for kindness in the shape of a mask. There’s a collective grief that is hard to bear these days as those numbers rise. And we can each save lives with minimal effort.
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So true Diana. It is a collective grief felt around the world. Some choose not to talk about it. I prefer to keep the reality in the forefront, hoping people will catch on about the reality and the mask ❤
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A poignant haibun but oh, so true. You’re right, it becomes a question of having consideration and respect for a human life. Why is it that some people refuse to do the right thing until the situation hits home? Great post, my friend! ❤
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I don’t know Vashti, human nature? Thanks for reading and leaving your sentiments. ❤ xx
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I thought I had commented on this, Debby. I must have been distracted.
The numbers are horrifying. Your poem gives the message clarity. There’s no missing that. I wish everyone would heed it.
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So do I Norah. And not sure you were distracted, possibly because I also wrote a flash fiction a few days ago? 🙂
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I moving haibun, Debby. I read Annika Perry’s post this week which shared a poem by a woman who had lost her sister to C-19 and who reflected on this exact thing, the loss of individuality and humanity which results when we focus on statistics and not people.
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Perfectly summed up Robbie. I read Annika’s moving post too 😦 xx
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Hear, hear!!
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Thanks Jennie ❤
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So true, Debby. And we’re not talking about everyday folks either, but even more worryingly, the people in charge. It’s terrifying, and here the numbers are going up again. They’ve made it compulsory here to wear a mask even outdoors. Let’s hope… Take care and keep safe.
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So true Olga. It’s the leadership in some countries – or the lack of it! Thank you my friend. ❤
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