Ariadne’s notes: We were so pleased to welcome Carla Evans, a talented poet and new World Poetry member to the World Poetry Café Radio Show on April 28th, (CFRO 100.5 FM) Due to so many needing to come into the show or call in, I have chosen to feature each of the three guests individually. CLICK HERE to listen to the radio show !
Our radio team: Ariadne Sawyer, Host and producer, Neall Ryon, co-host and sound engineer, Victor Schwartzman
Carla Evans has been writing in a variety of genres most of her life, mainly for enjoyment. She is a retired Elementary School teacher, librarian and counsellor, having had a variety of jobs before those years. Carla has written two educational books in the nineties, entitled, “Developing with PhotoWorks; Fun, Fantasy, Thoughtfulness, Future”, and “PhotoLinks: the Picture Connection”, both published by Lugus Productions, Ltd. Recently, her poem, “People Streams” was published in India, in an Anthology entitled, “XX1 Century World Literature” by IICA Inter Continental. Some of her poems have also been published in RCLAS e-zine, in the last two years. Carla has a large, active family that keeps her happily busy and writing when not housekeeping, gardening, reading, walking, visiting friends, and sometimes traveling.
River Walks.
One sunny day when
News of world looked
worse than simply grim
A lovely mother smiled at me
along the river walk
She asked about the meaning
of a large mysterious art
“What really is that?” Shy, she asked
But soon tears welled within
“I am so scared!”, she told me then
“You see, I’m from Iraq
The t.v.news so worries me
though I’ve been here quite long
My son, well, he is ten right now
I worry so for him”
Her English was quite fine just then
“But I’m so scared of danger now!
Will this scare ever end?”
“I hope so and expect it will”
I soothed this mother kind
Yet deep inside my wishes were
To tell her more, in time
We chatted and exchanged first names
She’d finished art school once
I let her know some art group names
She added them to phone
We thought for sure we’d meet again
Small note still holds her name
I taped it on my desk at home
And noticed calls within
That echoed waves of river tides
Where seeds of purpose stirred
We parted from the river shore
And hoped we’d meet again
Then once again Fear spoke to me
I’d seen the young man once
Along the walk, we’d said hello,
Then there he was again
He’d run behind my steadfast walk
And stopped me just to chat
I listened well, felt strong his fear
He said it still takes time:
He can’t believe that in our town
there’s nothing quite so great
Back home in place, Afghanistan
he’d felt strange numbing fear
He’d worked inside an office then
but windows made him cringe
Yet here, no worry for the worst
No guns, nor hollers, threats from guards
Or fear of unknown prison charge
For nothing ever clear, but fear
Back home were flowers in the Spring
and beauteous seasons too
They could no longer be enjoyed
He loved what grew here true
“And all I have to do here now,”
He said in disbelief
“Is work real hard, not break the law
And I’m okay, no fear. So free”
“That’s right”, I said, “do be content
and live your life with joy
Creating lasting peace on earth
needs happen soon for all
So keep your friendly ways and learn
Work well with freedom vow
I’ll come again, but not sure when
I hope to see you then”
We walked together to the spot
where flowers white bloomed bright
Pronounced each other’s names a while
But since, I’ve missed his friendly smile
I’ve not seen him again
Along the river, near our town
The worries of the young
Have left a mark upon my soul
And tied me closer to heart’s goal
To walk along more rivers far
Use words to open hearts
Climb hills, take steps
Join working hands
Till peace replaces fear
And people all, live free
Carla Evans (C) April 29, 2016
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