X Is For Xenophobia - Alphabe Thursday, July 1, 2010
Xenophobia (n) - fear or hatred towards foreigners, foreign countries, or anything foreign.
Other related words: xenophobic (adj.) and xenophobe (n)
X” Is For Xenophobia,
Which I hardly understand,
Since I always love to travel,
To an exotic distant land.
To feel hatred for things foreign,
Is something I don’t know,
I’m the first to pack my suitcase,
And am thrilled that I can go.
When I visit a foreign country,
I remember I’m a guest,
I respect the rules and culture,
It always works out for the best.
I spend some time in learning,
Before I start from home,
So I won’t feel like a stranger,
In the new place that I roam.
The food of other countries,
Is such a special treat,
I always find there’s something,
That I really like to eat.
I find most folks are friendly,
And, though it may take awhile,
Barriers are broken,
With the warmth of just a smile.
Carmen Henesy
Copyright (c) 2010 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved
I am taking part in Jenny Matlock's Alphabe Thursday
Join in the fun!!
Your poetry is wonderful. I now have a new word to add to my vocabulary. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat x post and great poem! I enjoyed finding you.
ReplyDeleteIndeed a smile goes across all barriers and boundaries!
ReplyDeleteLovely write!
Wonderful! That flowed so nicely and was great advice, too.
ReplyDeleteNice poem, isn't travel wonderful! You're the very informed traveler that I like to sit near on the excursion bus. It's like hearing from two tour guides.
ReplyDeletegreat poem, very creative :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful poem! It is so true that a simple smile can do much.
ReplyDeleteSurely a word which came much to my mind, while living as a foreinger here in Greece, yet it turned out that I nearly did forget this vocabulary. Great writing of yours once again ! Please have a nice Friday.
ReplyDeleteI so agere. I have never visited a place I haven't found something (generally many things) to love.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem, Carmen! I agree with Polly, that it flows so nicely and is very good advice for anyone about to embark on a journey!
ReplyDeleteYou, Carmen, are the reason why I started participating in Mrs. Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday-meme. I read one of your poems, and decided to give it a try. I started with 'D' and have stuck with it until now with the letter 'X'.
A while back, you asked me to pray for your son(s) who was(were) going to be deployed in Afganistan or somewhere dangerous. I would just like you to know that your whole family has been in my prayers since!
Best wishes,
Anna
Anna's X-words
That's a very sweet poem! I don't understand xenophobia either!
ReplyDeleteVery nice poem. I wouldn't have known the meaning of Xenophobia if I hadn't put the word on my blog this week too. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent poem for X day!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Catherine :)
short and sweet -
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed my poetry. I'm going to add it when I publish my second book!
At 65, I've done it! My poetry book - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy - is out on Amazon!
( Poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well )
http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1
PERMANENT POSIES -
I hope you'll come back to visit. I frequently write poetry on my blog.
At 65, I've done it! My poetry book - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy - is out on Amazon!
( Poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well )
http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1
Mona -
I always like to see a visitor from the country of my heart. Glad you like my poem.
5thsister -
That philosophy has been good for me in 45 countries and 20 Caribbean islands!
At 65, I've done it! My poetry book - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy - is out on Amazon!
( Poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well )
http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1
R.J. -
I would have loved to have you traveling next to me. I wish, my job loss, and subsequent retirement, had not put an end to my travels. I do have all the wonderful memories, though.
laterg8r -
Sometimes, it is easier for me to write a poem
than to express myself any other way.
ρομπερτ -
Hope you are weekends in Greece and have some nice leisure time ahead of you. Thanks for the
nice compliment.
secret agent woman -
I think we are much alike in that we travel,
expecting the journey to be a positive experience.
Anna -
Your prayers much have worked, dear friend. Instead of going to Afghanistan, my oldest son,
Shawn was deployed to Germany for four months - to a wonderful base he'd been to for two weeks last year. He did miss his middle brother's wedding by one week, sadly - he was supposed to be best man - but we were just so glad he would not be in a war zone. He's enjoying Germany since they work a 3 day on, 3 day off schedule so they take off for places in Europe and are having a great time.
I'm glad you stayed with the Alpha-be. I think I've only missed one.
Please do, always remember me, and my family, in your prayers and I will do the same for you.
What a terrific poem. I totally agree with you about traveling abroad!
ReplyDeleteCarmen, I love this. You should get my check next week and then I will do a giveaway on your book!
ReplyDeleteI liked this stop on Alphabe-Thursday's letter "X".
I like this stanza:
When I visit a foreign country,
I remember I’m a guest,
I respect the rules and culture,
It always works out for the best.
You could really stir up trouble and send it to the governor of AZ to put on the border.
That was a poor joke I think. But you know us Zonies...we are always in the news of late!
Carmen, thank you for linking up. Your posts are always Xtra special.
A+
still here...what a rough few months..i saw you had some trouble yourself on Facebook....looks like all is better now....
ReplyDeleteso good to see you today
i have missed you
sending love and get well wishes
kary and teddy
This is a lovely poem, and so true. I especially love the part about a smile breaking barriers. This was a great contribution for the letter X. Kat
ReplyDeletewhat a good poem and some important words to live by when travelling ... and hey, a smile can say so very much!
ReplyDeleteI like it; it's so true!
ReplyDeleteI too was in the X class...
ReplyDeletePlease drop in when you can.
My X-Post
~Excursion of Xeranthemum~
A Diva's Hammer Prose
Oh I am ever so thankful to ms Jenny for giving me the chance to not only play :) but to meet and read some wonderful new bloggers! A penchant for poetry so I just relished this work! No fear, no fear NO FEAR...How can anyone not just smile when they read this?
Bravo!
Insanely good poem! I really like it...Great choice for your "X" day...Peace and blessings
ReplyDeleteAmazing poem. Great X post.
ReplyDeleteFantastic poem for the letter X, and there is a lesson to learn in it too.
ReplyDeleteI love your poem - I am with you - I love to travel!
ReplyDeleteVery poem, lovely post....Great X....bkm
ReplyDeleteGreat poem! I thought posting about Xenophobia. Now, I'm glad I didn't because you have done such a good job!
ReplyDelete