Thursday, July 18, 2013

Poem for Detroit

If you know me at all, you know how much I love my hometown of Detroit. Today the city filed for bankruptcy. I wasn't on-line all day, I saw the news when I got home. It wasn't a huge surprise, but it was a heartbreaking one.

For dVerse Poets Pub (It's been a while, guys!!) Using "Oh the places we live!" Even though I don't live in the D anymore & "The Poet's Toolbox"!!

My Detroit

I didn’t expect the news of Detroit today to get to me so much,
But I know why it did:
Detroit is my home.

Hot summer nights spent in Tiger’s Stadium.
Family outings to Ford Field.
My cousins babysitting my brother (the only boy) & I
at our Grandmother’s.
Sitting around multiple tables at my aunt & uncle’s house
because there were too many of us to fit at a single table.
Watching the Red Wings
skate to victory two years in a row
in my aunt and uncle’s living room.
Huge, Polish Catholic, family reunions on the lake.
Sleeping on the floor in tiny cabins
without air conditioning.
Meeting my cousin’s newly adopted daughter,
the first of the next generation of our family.
My cousin’s baby shower,
her sister stricken with cancer,
the two of them never stopped smiling that day.
Family members tight in together, both sides,
at my grandmother’s
then my aunt’s
then my cousin’s funerals.

Detroit is my family,
my history,
my love.

19 comments:

  1. yeah its hard once a place is in your heart...detroit has had it rough...i still got a friend there and it doesnt sound good at all...you got some history there though it sounds...smiles...i hope for your city...

    and its great seeing you

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    1. Thank you!! Detroit's motto is "Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus." - "We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes." So that's what I'm pulling for!! :-)

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  2. What a great motto--and your poem shows the love you have for family and how so many of your memories with them are tied to Detroit. Makes me miss my family and "Sweet Home Alabama"

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  3. I'm so sorry about Detroit. I did see it on the news tonight and my heart felt heavy. Your poem really brought out the love you have of family and hometown.

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  4. Our city has been on the brink of bankruptcy. We don't really feel it. It's been tough getting new people into office who would do things differently. I hope it goes well for your city. Your heart is in your writing.

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  5. My heart goes to you and other citizens in Detroit ~ Still, I think you are lucky to have a city you call your home ~ All the best ~

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  6. Your affection for your hometown shines through Katie. I hope with you for better days!

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  7. These memories of family are tied so close to place--to see the place now suffering such change is unsettling. Excellent poem!

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  8. Lovely childhood memories to cherish... sounds so happy despite the cousin's cancer.

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  9. Strong love for family tied to that city. Hope that they get by.. Sounds a little bit similar to Greece in some ways... (where I have friends ) - sad.

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  10. It is sad. I spent three years of my life there in the late 70's, early 80's. It's such a culturally diverse city with so much to offer. I remember being in awe of the RenCen which was pretty new back then. And I remember a UAW strike, Devil's Night and other troubles that go along with large urban centers. Well, prayers going back there that they can get it together again. And for you and your family. Hold on to memories.

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  11. Great write. It really hurts when it's home.

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  12. Today Detroit, tomorrow ... when are we going to admit that the whole financial system is busted beyond repair?

    The things they can't take away are your memories and your love both for your city and, more importantly, for your family

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  13. Thanks, everyone!! :-) Glad you enjoyed my poem, & that my love for my family and city stand out!! It'll all be okay!! :-)

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  14. Love this poem. I saw my hometown destroyed by earthquakes, so I can relate to your feelings

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    1. Are you from Christchurch? It's been sad seeing all the earthquakes in New Zealand.

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  15. I love the poem Katie. I love the funeral descriptions.

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  16. sad and beautiful, katie, from another michigander
    xx ray

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