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Why are you here?
people ask me why did you leave your birth land and adopt another. I heard, I tell them, about America to be a place where hard work discipline sincerity creativity passion to explore possibilities, only those things mattered for success. Why would America be titled a 'land of possibilities’? I worked hard for the vision I had for a verdant blue watered world that nurtured all. On the way, I learnt of brutal history and inequalities, I also learnt of a culture of volunteering, of rooting for your community, of sticking out and speaking up for equality, and justice. In time some lessons got harder the pain got deeper the news got darker, peaking with rallying cry to ‘make America great again’ Venting outlet for some, bewildering for many America was already great they said, for here evolved Emancipation Proclamation and more, proof of leadership standing up for justice equality and equal rights for all. And yet, we just walked out of a climate deal like we belong in another planet, we walked out of a partnership with195 countries striving to reach global goals of responsible living with justice, equality for all. We just said we don’t care for you your climate your raising water your energy woes your crops your farmers your people, as if our climate our raising waters our energy woes our crops our people were on another planet. Hope still lives and thrives in this vast land, in formal and informal leaders private, public and non-profits taking reins of leadership working harder on a steeper climb, for people here and everywhere, because climate my friend is without boarders, Pittsburg or Paris it pervades all. Climate knows only one Earth, its many species, treats all the same, with water, air and land, with high winds, high waters droughts, fires, floods, power outages and more.. Strife, war and famine are no hoax, climate reminds, in realtime we are in this together. All pervading climate is a leader by example, calling on human ingenuity, curiosity and leadership that holds hands lifts up and moves together. Leadership, like Climate, is a collective force, calling for collective good, so we can thrive together. -By Neeraja, June 01, 2017. Portland.
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This is inspired by my neighbour aunty, Sujatha back in my home town in India. She is still our neighbour, still our other mother/our aunty/our inspiration to laugh, live and let live.
----------- 145, the other home. By Neeraja Havaligi. Memories of many days Months and years Pass my fingers As I think of you Aunty. The smile reaching your eyes The ears always willing listeners The eyes, enormous pools of humor and wisdom The hands that pampered us With pachadies, pulusus and more, The feet that walked for us The heart that holds us close With love only you seem to have in abundance for all. Thank you for being Part of my life As I grew On 6th, between 141 and 145 Knowing that I always have you Standing tall and proud Of all I accomplished in my life. Thank you for trusting my strength in myself And trusting the wide world of goodness To care for me Far away from 6th. It is trust that defines you Trust that life is good And it will get better If we laugh, let go and live, Like you do. |
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