Note: Berta Caceres was an environmentalist in Honduras who was assassinated in 2016 for her successful work in protecting the Gualcarque River, among other projects and human rights activism. Her murder was initially covered up, but in 2021 the architect of her murder was sentenced to 22 years in prison, but the murderers are still at large. needless to say, these murderers are allegedly a product of the infamous Fort Benning and the former programme of the School of the Americas, which in my understanding is code for training thugs and right wing militants (think Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Panama ….). Berta was 44 years old and leaves four children and a husband, but also a great legacy of what can be achieved even under threat of death – she knew she was on a list.
“They are afraid of us because we are not afraid of them.” Berta Caceres
Berta Caceres
To say this is my home is to say that I have a place, somewhere to take sanctuary from the pressures of the world, a door to close against the dark hearts who do not want me to me to have this place or my voice, which speaks loudly for my people, for our rivers and trees, our homes, for the right to say no to those who have no understanding of our needs, our ways, our culture, but tonight, although I do not know that it will be tonight, you will read that they came to silence my voice, I am not afraid of them, shooting me will not silence me, my voice will continue to speak
Copyright 2022 ©Paul Vincent Cannon
All Rights Reserved ®️
parallax 
Well done, Paul.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Many thanks Pat
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, my goodness. Just when I thought your poetry had no more room at all for improvement, you jack it up about a hundred percent. Damn. I mean, sorry, Father… 😆
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ,damn indeed. I have in fact resigned my position and now simply am taking time to write, so I no longer belong to a title, which is a relief in many ways. Thank you Ana for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have? You did? Oh, my goodness, what a profound liberation for you! Wonderful! 👍👌🌟🌄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it was a relief after years at the coal face, now it’s time to write 🙂 Thank you Ana.
LikeLike
Welcome to the land of the living! 🎉⛲🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you say that, has a nice ring to it Ana 🙂
LikeLike
Okay, I’ll say it for you again: WELCOME TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING! HAVE A BLAST! LIVE BEFORE YOU DIE! HAHAHA!!! 😆👍🌟
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
😆🙋🎶👏👏👍💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
She sounds like the heroes in the book I just finished: “Stealing Home”.
“But before Dodger Stadium could be built, the city would have to face down the neighborhood’s families — including one, the Aréchigas, who refused to yield their home. The ensuing confrontation captivated the nation – and the divisive outcome still echoes through Los Angeles today.”
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, there are those who have strength to resist, until the odds are overwhelming. I can imagine the effect down history.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’ve captured the environmentalist’s voice wonderfully well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much for that. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the first time I’ve heard of someone being assassinated for environmental activism. Just when I think I can longer be shocked by the depravity in this world, I learn of another one–and I’m shocked and appalled all over again
LikeLiked by 2 people
It actually gets worse – the more I read and delve into the sickness that is corporate greed is stupendous and knows no moral bounds.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The baby formula recall in the US is a case-in-point about corporate greed. According to news reports, the manufacturer knew about the salmonella contamination in its facility, did nothing to rectify it, and kept on selling. Babies have died.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is appalling, and it is purely about the money (tobacco, sugar, asbestos ….), and still they keep crawling lower.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The US Supreme Court has now slithered into the depths with them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, sewer rats hang together I guess, what a mess – is there a way forward Liz?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not looking good, I’m afraid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
O!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a powerful poem and a powerful story behind it. I hadn’t heard the story of Berta Caceres either but it’s not one I’ll forget.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is wonderful, I really hope she is remembered, thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are blessed to have those with brave hearts who are strong and steadfast and do not bow down to the pressures of the greedy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, totally agree with you Patricia we are indeed blessed to have such beacons of strength and hope.
LikeLike
Pingback: Berta Caceres – a poem by – Nelsapy
Many thanks 🙂
LikeLike
Wow thank you for keeping Berta’s voice alive and allow this evil to silence the truth
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, if we forget, hers and other lives are in vain, many thanks for this.
LikeLike