September 5, 2009 | Posted by admin Aren’t they beautiful? That’s the only words for these fresh veggies.
Yesterday, after months of writing and editing, writing and editing … I allowed myself some social time. A meal with some friends and then a visit with one of my dearest friends who was visiting from out of town. It felt wonderful. It was as [...]
Categories: Uncategorized | 
Tags: food, refugee | 
10 Comments »
June 29, 2008 | Posted by admin They had no mercy
it was just a policy — they said
of their government
this systematic destruction
of your homes, your language
your humanity
push you to the borders
stateless
without a hope
Canada
will take you in
land of the strong and free
yes – we know how you’ve paid for survival
with your blood, your love
your meaning
we want to help
with english classes and housing
and with [...]
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: advocacy, poetry, refugee | 15 Comments »
May 17, 2008 | Posted by admin When you first meet the refugee families I’ve worked with – these people who have been witness to horrors of war and unjust persecution – you start off silent. Afraid to ask the questions – and afraid to hear the answers – you offer a smile, a shared laugh, a face to recognize when they [...]
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: refugee, simplicity, stories | 9 Comments »
May 10, 2008 | Posted by admin he shuffles through the halls
english books
clutched to his chest
head down, slightest of smiles
afraid to be asked
should he not understand
and even if so
afraid his accent
would render the answer useless
but today would be different
as he stood in front of his class
bow cradled in his palm
violin tucked under his chin
as it had so many times at home
in his [...]
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: poetry, refugee | 12 Comments »
April 7, 2008 | Posted by admin They had experienced loss.
With only one suitcase of clothes, they had arrived in Canada, survivors of oppression for being part of an ethnic minority under Saddam’s rule in Iraq. They carried samples of spices that hinted of their homeland and left behind a mother, who lamented their pursuit of writing, the cause of their parting. [...]
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: change, poetry, refugee, writing | 7 Comments »
January 1, 2008 | Posted by admin Holidays were incredibly restful this year. I turned off the phone, didn’t check my email. All good.
Last Sunday, I helped organize a New Year’s party for the newest community of refugees in our city. Karen refugees from the Thai-Burmese border. Some of them have been in refugee camps for over ten years. They are an [...]
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: refugee, simplicity | No Comments »
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