In my Burmese lesson last week, we read a poem together.
I’ll be honest: reading Burmese poetry is not my favorite. I’m not an avid reader, nor do I fully appreciate, much English poetry, and Burmese poetry is an even further stretch. Even when I understand all of the words, it’s hard to understand why one line is talking about a boy under a tree and the next is about a skirt being used as a flag.
Further, poetry holds a number of cultural notes–referencing “known” events, histories, habits, jokes. The chance of me knowing those is, well, less than likely.
I conclude: I don’t read much poetry, particularly in other languages. But I was.
And I loved this one. The title, and repeating line after every verse: The news I hear, it is not good.
Verse by verse, he went through current events internationally, nationally, locally, and personally: “the news I hear, it is not good.”
I connected with it in a way I can’t recall ever connecting with poetry. Because, friends, this is true for today. It is true for my heart right now, as I watch tragedy after tragedy unfold in my world, in my country, and in my neighborhood.
Charlottesville: The news I hear, it is not good.
American politics, from North Korea to DACA: The news I hear, it is not good.
Harvey, in all it’s ugliness: The news I hear, it is not good.
Flooding in South Asia: The news I hear, it is not good.
Thai politics and new laws: The news I hear, it is not good.
Thai law, for my friends trying to become legal: The news I hear, it is not good.
The Rohingya, fleeing for their lives and dying gruesome deaths: The news I hear, it is not good.
Burma, trying to find their feet in development: The news I hear, it is not good.
My friends being denied a visa last week: The news I hear, it is not good.
My neighbors trying to make ends meet and find work: The news I hear, it is not good.
My best little friends, hungry every morning at our door: The news I hear, it is not good.
Our friends, waiting for the arrests to start before they move back to Burma: The news I hear, it is not good.
My friend, sewing in our home, losing her contracted job this week: The news I hear, it is not good.
My husband and I, waiting and praying for our sweet baby bunny: The news I hear, it is not good.
But my God, He is good.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)
Charlottesville: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
American politics, from North Korea to DACA: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
Harvey, in all it’s ugliness: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
Flooding in South Asia: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
Thai politics and new laws: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
Thai law, for my friends trying to become legal: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
The Rohingya, fleeing for their lives and dying gruesome deaths: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
Burma, trying to find their feet in development: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
My friends being denied a visa last week: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
My neighbors trying to make ends meet and find work: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
My best little friends, hungry every morning at our door: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
Our friends, waiting for the arrests to start before they move back to Burma: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
My friend, sewing in our home, losing her contracted job this week: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
My husband and I, waiting and praying for our sweet baby bunny: The news I hear, it is not good. But my God, He is good.
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