Healing Hands Anthology 2017

Poetry is healing. Poetry is balm. Poetry is like the calm waters of Lac de Vesoul, or the Notre-Dame Bridge that spreads across that long stretch of Ornain. It is like the towers of Eglise Saint-Georges, à Vesoul, or the serene gardens of Un panorama du Jardin Anglais de Vesoul (Anglais Garden Park). Poetry blossoms like the flowers of Dole or like the healing art of Louis Pasteur. Yes, poetry is that healing which flows from one to another, spreading an aura of hope and rebirth.

Poetry, sometimes, is the voice of the poet to bear the burden of the world, or unburden such heaviness. And at some times, poetry becomes the means by which the poet touches another poet. This is what we have intended to do in this anthology. Poets belong to a huge family. Just like any family has members who see the world differently, but united by a common bond, the poetry family defies geography, and is not limited by language or land or line. We are united by our humanity and the love of art. As a result, when one of us hurts, we hurt. We share in this burden, and pick a bit of it, so that it becomes less of hurt and more of healing. And yes, we heal with our poems.

This collection of poems serves some purposes. First, to share in the burden of a mother who has been part of the success stories of many burgeoning poets whom she has not seen physically but has been a part of their lives. Many have been blessed by her impact and great spirit. She is a healing hand. Two, to use poetry as a means of bringing healing to a loved one whose days remind us the grandeur of friendship and laughter, to Patrick. Three, to give poets the opportunity to heal the world with their gift.

For in healing others, we heal ourselves. Four, to celebrate the human spirit, our humanity! We want to use this anthology, Healing Hands, to remind the Poirsons that they are not alone in this trying time. Whatever the outcome is, we want them to understand that they are part of our family and we stand together. Yes, nous sommes tous ensemble!