The last week in March in Washington DC, the cherry blossoms performed their annual wake up call, to remind us that nature is beautiful and apolitical. The Smithsonian museums gave us artists sharing their views of their worlds through their creativity - opening our minds, eyes and hearts to new ideas and ways to see and feel the world. The Smithsonian Zoo welcomed visitors to enjoy its animals and especially the happy Giant Pandas. These poems reflect my experience during those few days in DC.
Time and Truth
Around the cathedral
Yoshimo and Kwanzan
bloom White and pink
as the devout catholics
kneel and pray
night and day
Time can play out in so many ways,
Time will never stop moving,
we can only keep moving too
along the paths opened by time.
We have the power
to make our lives victorious
in every moment of time.
We have the opportunity
to show dignity and respect
in each moment of time,
We have the breath
to experience the beneficence
in each moment of time.
Like the Cherry blossoms In time
we create a magnificent odyssey
our story of joy, hope and love
no matter what is going on outside us,
We have power in our own minds
to stay in our center, our heart
In one way.
I know this is the Truth
In another,
I see and hear
how oppression makes it difficult
for so many people
in the past and the present
to live in this Truth.
Museum Musings
Please see photographs on my website of the art works that inspired these words. (The italics are titles of some of the quilts)
THE RENWICK
We are all warmed by the same sun.
You cannot stop creativity
driven by injustice.
you can try and hide it
using injustice.
Black women artists of America created
powerful expressive quilts
giving us a view of another world,
the life and times of the black community
with words that touched deeply
releasing our tears of sadness and empathy.
“We are all warmed by the same sun”
You love, you are loved.
We are all our brothers keeper
and we are all brothers and sisters
on this one earth.
“I know why the caged bird beats his wings”
I feel those waiting behind bars,
waiting and hoping for justice,
yet “the unbalanced scales of justice”
do not swing back any more.
“I cannot breathe, cries George”
“The cracks in justice”
are filled with dirt, not hope
for many in this society.
Maybe the “Green Book” is not needed anymore,
and it is time to remember
and true human beings know
that love is possible
that respect is mandatory
We are all warmed by the same sun.
THE NATION GALLERY of Art - EAST WIng
Life on the East Side
of New York City
Sad eyes look out from the crowded canvas,
Thinking, perhaps, of countries and homes left.
Now busily, carefully, buying food
hoping it’s enough to feed hungry families.
On the “sonny” side of the street
A temporary Harlem playground
chalk lines marking and numbering squares
Children jump, smile and laugh,
not knowing they could be caged birds
trapped in a caste society.
Now years later America society
acted together to stop these travesties.
New generations may be in a new world
of open possibilities,
Hope, joy, love and victory
for everyone together,
Warmed under the same sun.
Polish church Easter morning 1916
Crowded together
Looking down at the hand books
Easter, bonnets and scarves
Not a smile to be seen
In their hearts, they are happy to be
together in America
Far away from the great war in Europe
Here starting new lives.
PANDA EXPRESS
BAO LI Active & vital power
Born on my birthday 2021
QING BAO green treasure
born September 12, 2021
Sit around contentedly
chewing the bamboo shoots.
they came from China in October 2024
free to be with us here
in the wonderful Smithsonian zoo
of Washington.
Thank you China
May peace, friendship and fairness
grow between us.
©MartinStrasmore2025
