No matter the struggles on the ground
The fire or earthquake or flood or revolution
You still awake to the baby’s cries and rush
To quiet her, diaper her, lift her to your breast
Rain descends, rivers run to oceans, wind rises
Dust settles on the white linens, grit mars the table
Boys and girls beg for a story and pencils
Babies turn in the womb, mouths reach for a kiss
No matter how weary your back bent to task
Your spirit slashed by fever, worry, conflict
The electric bill must be paid, bread bought
The children need breakfast before school
Surgeons raise their knives over ill flesh and cut
Farmers plough fields and force seeds into earth
Fishermen drop nets so deep in the sea they vanish
Some get well, some harvest, some eat, some drown
No matter the guns in the street, rockets overhead
The body bows to its insistent daily needs
Before you stand, work, march, weep, shout, fall
You must park outhouses along the battlefield
An old woman reads documents and diaries
An old man sorts certificates and photographs
They write their letters to their grandchildren
Wishing them fewer struggles on the ground
Just a thought 71
Homeward, painted 1881, Georges Inness, courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Sharon Bonin-Pratt's Ink Flare 
Comments on: "Struggles on the Ground" (48)
Sharon, this poem is so true and deep. Our will and need to get through the day
will continue in the midst of disasters around. One would think the spirit broken
but the human need and wish to care and survive is stronger than the fear itself.
miriam
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I think you understand, Miriam. So many people when asked want the basics – safety, food, and shelter for their loved ones. And in event of disasters, it’s those basic needs we first restore.
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Great post 😁
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Thank you.
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No problem 🙂 check out my blog when you get the chance 😁
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Thank you, I will.
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It’s true, innit, that life is better without the give-up in it? Good and thoughtful poem, Shari.
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Yes, I think so, Jacqui. Thank you for reading.
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I love poems you read and reread and lose track of time reading and thinking about them. I love poems you want your corner coffee shop to open early so you can rush down to it and tell the baristas “I read a poem today.” I love poems that add riches to something you’ve been thinking about. This, of course, is one of “those” poems.
About two nights ago, a stag fell against my door around three in the morning. I’ve been thinking about it on and off ever since. My thoughts turned into a poem about the hand off between generations. About passing things down to younger people.
Your poem so enriches my thoughts, Sharon. Thank you so much for sharing it.
If you’re curious, here’s mine.
https://cafephilos.blog/2019/04/11/i-will-sing-songs-to-the-ice/
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This is an astounding compliment, Paul. I reread what you wrote just to be sure of what I thought you’d written.
Of course I’ll be over to your site shortly.
I lived in Colorado for a short time, many years ago, and one of our sons lived in Boulder for a time, so I’m aware of the dramatic convergence of wildness and civilization. But a stag falling against my door – well, those that fell against mine tended more toward incidents that threw my life into chaos. I’ll have to read your poem – perhaps after all we’ve experienced the same sort of stags even if the species are different.
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[…] readers might want to check out Sharon’s poem, Struggles on the Ground. It strikes me as having themes related to this poem’s […]
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Thank you for the mention on your site.
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A powerful thought indeed… may we all persevere and strive to something beyond what is even happening in this moment. Love this one. 😍
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Thank you, Charlie, for your kind comment. No matter the ordinary things we must do, are the extraordinary things we strive to achieve. And sometimes it all happens around us without us taking any note.
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Such a thought provoking poem, Sharon. Thank you for sharing it!
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I’m pleased that it touched you, Jill.
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This is a mighty poem, Sharon. The small things are actually the big things, and the so-called big things shrink into perspective. Your poem is so rich with life – and the universal needs of us all. I really love this!
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Thank you for your perceptive observation, Betty.
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Wow, just wow, Shari. Without the mundane little things in life, the big things just don’t matter. A poetic interpretation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs!
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Interesting comparison, Terri.
What I meant was that for all our human foibles and suffering and even successes, other life forces go on completely unaware of us or our needs. Hurricanes don’t wait until it’s convenient for us to shelter; they rage and flood on their schedule. Armies march in spring over the crops that will feed a nation in autumn. And when we finally grab hold of a safe bench to sit on, even before the guns fall silent, our children need to be fed, someone else needs to use the bathroom, everyone eventually falls asleep. I think it’s the little things that matter most.
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what a lush dreamy quality here – & it’s true that crisis can clarify…
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That’s an astute observation, Daal. Thanks for reading.
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Such a powerful, thought provoking poem.
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Thank you, Rivka.
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So beautiful, Sharon. I love poems and writing that seems to capture the common labors of life and somehow makes them feel not only poignant but epic. In every life is a tale worth telling and your words make me want more.
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What a lovely thing to say, Diana. Thank you. I’m so glad this poem resonated with you.
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Nice thoughts, Sharon. In fiction, as well as real life, we need to pay attention to the everyday details. These things make up so much the fabric of our lives. I like how you shine a spotlight on their importance here. : )
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Your spotlight comment about what’s really important made me smile – the little things do matter. thank you, Cathleen.
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Shari, a powerful thoughtful poem that has left me pondering! How true that the cries of baby can take precedence over big dramatic events outside, that in the midst of everything one always aims to provide that breakfast for the little ones! I find your last paragraph particularly haunting and poignant … may those letters make a difference, may there be fewer struggles on the ground!
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Annika, you always respond with such thoughtfulness, it’s very appreciated. For all the awfulness in this world, and this last week has proven as terrible as so many in the past, we keep moving forward for our children and their future.
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Hey! I totally loved your content and in order to create a supportive community I mentioned you in my blog at
Do check it out
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Thank you, Arushi, for your kind mention of my poem on your blog.
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You’re most welcome
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😀
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As always your words create powerful images in my head and also in my heart. It’s as if you’ve somehow put an IV into system, Shari – your words find their way fast and effectively. 😉
And I couldn’t agree more- the small, the basic things and needs are those that matter most – what would we be without air, water, food and shelter? Only dust in the wind, and maybe not even that.
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Sarah, I like your comment about the IV in the system. The basic things are what we want most and need first in any crisis, essentially the same emergency application as an IV.
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So glad you like it, Shari, I wasn’t sure afterwards if it made sense! 🙂
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Of course it made sense – life support. I like your creative interpretation.
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quite well written. enjoyed this read indeed.
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I’m very humbled that you found this poem meaningful.
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Hey Sharon !! Strong and poignant lines. When humanity starts fading from one side of the world, the same makes way through family and love for beloveds. The affection and care for our loved ones makes us stronger in any arid circumstance. Loved your poem.
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Thank you, Nima. I love your insightful comment. Thank you for reading.
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It was my pleasure to have come across your site !! 😊
Would you care to visit mine too? And maybe follow too?
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Of course – was planning to do exactly that. See you at the Tenth Zodiac.
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Thank you so much !! 😀😀
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😀
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Deep and meaningful ⭐️
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I’m pleased you liked the poem, thank you for reading.
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