Black Sands Boom Rock by Christine Anne Borra

The cruel black sands
of Makara Beach
lie beneath
my feet

To rough today
to dive for paua
the walk to Boom
too long

Summer beats
a different sound
like Boom Rock

Boom

Boom

Boom

How many days
and many nights
have we fished
and dived your
stony sands

Yet today
you seem cruel
and foam bashes
at my feet

Too cold
on this winter day

My Sunrise



Sunrise at Riverstone Terraces Upper Hutt New Zeland



International humanitarian assistance to Myanmar : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract:

Myanmar is a country with many complex political and humanitarian issues. While it is rich in natural resources, it remains one of the poorest and most undemocratic countries in Asia. It has a history of ethnic and political division and many of the antagonists are still to find lasting reconciliation. Myanmar has been controlled by military juntas and former army generals since a coup in 1962. The focus of the regime is security and the preservation of its position as the ruling elite, at the expense of democracy and the humanitarian needs of the general population. The international response to the humanitarian plight of the Myanmar people has been mixed and the provision of international aid to Myanmar has become a highly contentious issue. This thesis seeks to critically examine international aid to Myanmar so as to determine whether under present conditions humanitarian assistance should, and can, be effectively provided to the country. In doing so recent theories relating to humanitarian assistance and intervention are reviewed and the historical and political circumstances that have influenced the humanitarian situation in Myanmar are explored. A description of the current humanitarian situation and levels of international assistance is provided, and donor, practitioner and activist perspectives on international assistance are determined. The results of this study show that Myanmar has serious humanitarian needs. Despite being a difficult environment in which to operate, with complex political problems, it is still possible to conduct effective programmes in the country. Existing programmes do not reach all those in need, nor do current programmes address many of the core problems. International assistance does help fill the gap left largely unattended by the junta. Any lasting political solution requires the participation of all stakeholders in the country, especially the military. As the junta is unlikely to relinquish political control, regardless of pressure levelled against the senior generals, the need for ongoing international aid remains obvious. When all the considerations about providing aid to Myanmar are taken into account, it is apparent from this research that the conditions are serious enough to justify that there is a humanitarian imperative to help, and that there are sound opportunities to do so.
For complete copy please go to:
http://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/760

Copyright Paul Douglas Inwood.

Dark Force by Christine Anne Borra

Photograph by Whaia Borra
 Graffiti on Petone Wharf

In the darkness
the army gathers
prepare yourself
for war

In the darkness
the Educated Unrested
ask why
and ask for more

In the darkness

the balance changes

ask what

is on your door

In the darkness
the future falters
be wary
for what's in store

Introducing Karen Bowlby

Today I am very excited to welcome Karen Bowlby to my blog.  I met Karen through Twitter and would like to share her talent with you. Karen is a 30 year old former actor-turned-advocate for those who are afraid to speak. With a BFA in Theatre Performance, and a minor in English, Karen went on to study Psychology at Columbia University, with a focus on stigmatized identities. Her passion is the art of reconciliation and is attempting to discover how written and spoken word can effect change! Find Karen at kbowlby.blogspot.com

X: Karen how long have you been writing?

K: I started writing short stories in elementary school, and poetry in high school. I took some time off from writing when I studied Theatre and Psychology, and then went back to it just within the last year, as I found myself spending more and more time in the Spoken Word/Slam Poetry scene.  

X:  Why have you chosen poetry as one of your art forms?

K: I think poetry says things we only wish we could say aloud. Particularly with spoken word poetry, there is a level of intimacy that's reached that is often missed in other forms of writing. I've seen grown men share stories about their best friends dying, and bring other grown men to tears. In contrast, I've seen tiny women empower an entire room with their words - there is no gender bias in poetry, no skin color, no status symbols or glass ceilings. There are only poets... all with something unique to say. 

X: What inspires you to write?

K: Relationships inspire me. I spend a lot of time writing about my relationship with love, with friends, with God, with family - I think that is the core of pretty much every poem I've ever written. Maybe that will change one day... but probably not anytime soon.

X: Do you perform your poetry?

K: I'm very new to the Spoken Word/Slam Poetry scene... I try to read on a regular basis, a few times a week, but am just now getting some pieces memorized that I'll feel comfortable slamming. I love to try my new pieces out, and the best way to gauge a new piece is to get an audience-reaction. Open mikes are really helpful outlets in Spoken Word.

Bleed out City by Karen Bowlby

Broken city

Filled with ache

We flock here from

Suburbia

Gather from wholesome

Religion-filled

Cookie-cuttered families

Bleeding out

Our blood mixing with

Others'

Looking for what

Salvation

Punishment

A quick and painless end

Only we don't find

Quick and

Painless in

New York City

We are survivors

We are the ones that make it

And so death can take

Decades

Looking like addiction

Like one big party

Looking like we just don't care

But this city cries out

Daily

For a God

It doesn't know

And

Daily

He steps in

But I want more

More miracles

More healing

More freedom from the

Anvil this

City wears around

Her neck

Release my city from itself

Bring freedom in waves

In oceans that wash over

The Top of the Rock

And South Street Seaport

Alike

Seep into Queens

In Brooklyn leave your

Wet

Do not forget

Your promise to me

kbowlby.blogspot.com

Copyright © Karen Bowlby 2011 All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced without written consent from the author. kbowlby.blogspot.com

NEVER throw stones at a Poet by Christine Anne Borra

You may write your name on a bus shelter
You may break bottles and leave them there
You may fire rockets with abandon
Into the warm summer air

You may break the odd glass window
And smash a sign or two
You may nick milk bottles from letterboxes
You may smoke in the public loo

You may eat from the passion fruit tree
You may steal peaches and throw them at friends
You may catch shrimps in your uncles old bait catcher
You may think that summer never ends

But you may NEVER throw stones at a Poet
Even if he's rowing and clowning around
And spouting to Huoy, and talking the Nui
If he falls in he surely will drown

Bangkok Flowers by Christine Anne Borra



Bangkok Flowers photograph by Christine Anne Borra

bangkok flowers

suspended in light

move with grace

false dawn of the night

bangkok flowers

your faceless ease

hang in the street

sensations deceived

bangkok flowers

bloom not for the day

neon and silk

watch them sway

bangkok flowers

who judges the plight

who grew such beauty

who questions the right