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Monday, April 4, 2011

HOPE




There are some books which leave a lifelong impression on you. You carry it in your heart for the rest of your life. You turn the pages and you are so engrossed in reading it that before you know it is over, you come to the end. It is like you are bidding goodbye to a friend and you have to let go but never forget.


 I came across one such book when I was in my teens. I had borrowed it from my uncle who had in turn borrowed it from a library. I took one look at the book and its size was enough for me to put it down. I didn’t have the patience to read such a fat book! But I did and now I know what it means when we say “Never judge a book by its cover”! That book took me by a storm. I couldn’t put it down; its hold over me was so much. I read it day and night till I came to the finish. I wept, I rejoiced and I wept and I rejoiced. It was a book of human courage faced with the most inhuman conditions imaginable. It was the story of a man and his relentless belief and hope that someday the light will shine on him even in the darkest of moments. It was a book of a man’s struggle for his freedom. The name of the book is “Against All Hope – The Prison Memoirs of Armando Valladares”.


The memoirs of Armando Valadares in a Cuban prison during the regime of Fidel Castro and the tortures that he went through. He was finally noticed by Amnesty International through his poems written in his blood that were smuggled out of prison. He had no choice but to write poetry in blood because they refused to give him pen, pencil or ink. They wanted to snuff out his spirit and keep the world in darkness of the cruelty and torture and indignities prisoners had to go through every day but they failed. He was finally released as an exchange prisoner and given asylum in Manila. From what I last heard of him was that Manila is his adopted country now and with the help of Amnesty International he helps rescue other POWs and find them a safe and dignified harbor.


I don’t know how many have read this but if you come across a copy just grab it. It is a tale of courage. I leave you with one of his poems written in prison.


They’ve taken everything away from me
Pens
Pencils
Ink
Because they don’t want
Me to write
And they’ve sunk me here
In this cell
But they aren’t going to drown me
That way

They’ve taken everything away from me
-          Or almost everything –
I still have my smile
The proud sense that I’m a free man
And an eternally flowering garden
In my soul

They’ve taken everything away from me
Pens
Pencils
But I still have life’s ink
-          My own blood –
And I’m still writing poems with that.

                                               - Armando Valladares

33 comments:

  1. Absolutely amazing.....adding that book to my wish list ....As always...XOXOXOXO

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  2. What a tragic story, and just shows the human spirit at its best. I am amazed at work the things people can do in caring for their loved ones no matter their own age or problems.

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  3. Rimly,I will certainly read this one,thank u for sharing it with us.

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  4. Bonnie it is a book worth reading. Thank you

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  5. Thank you Charles. It is tragic that we humans are capable of so much cruelty and yet it is also human beings who are capable of incredible courage and love. Thank you for your comment

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  6. Rimly a great recommendation. It is always amazing how much the human spirt can endure and still create art.
    thank You for telling us about this book.


    http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/04/one-of-reasons-i-love-living-in-florida.html

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  7. Jim you are welcome. Thank you for visiting and commenting

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  8. gr8 Rimly...very true...never judge a book by its cover..

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  9. Thank you Sneha for visiting my blog and commenting.

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  10. Wow! Was there a movie made from the book because this does sound familiar and I know I haven't read it. Thanks a ton for sharing Rimly : )

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  11. Rimly,
    What a great blog you have. It's my first time here. Books and stories like Armando's give us all hope. If he could continue through that part of his journey, still thinking of his smile and coming out alive, spiritually and physically... then what can I possibly complain about? Thank you! Tim

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  12. Rimly,
    “Against All Hope – The Prison Memoirs of Armando Valladares”. Is one of the greatest stories I have ever read. great review
    xoxo
    Jessica

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  13. Kriti I dont know about the movie but I sure would love to watch it. In the meantime if you get this book read it. It is very humbling.

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  14. Tim its great to see you here. I hope you come visiting more often and leave your comments. Thank you

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  15. Someone has read it! Jessica thank you. xoxo

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  16. Amazing poem. Hope lived within his spirited. A must read for me.

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  17. Quite a poignant one, Rimly. There have been many unchronicled works like this.

    And as you mentioned, books are something which make an impression on you. Some impressions never fade with time.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Joy always,
    Susan

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  18. You need a reaction box for 'WOW'! That was some poem. A true look at the human spirit:) Thanks for sharing. I'm not much of a book reader, but your review of the book makes me want to grab it and start reading:)

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  19. Susan it's great to see you here in my blog. Thank you for taking a peek at it and for your comment.

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  20. Mary it is a book worth reading. Thank you

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  21. What an inspiring story Rimly...what strength...will hunt for the book and read it. Tx for sharing.

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  22. You must Swati. Thank you for your visit

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  23. I must get hold of this book, Rimly. Thanks for sharing...just reading that poem made motivated me!

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  24. I am reading this for the second time, and i believe i should try to read the book . Running away from facing pain isn't the answer , i need to face the demons ;-) ..... If its fiction i still am able to ,but a true story is something else, knowing that such atrocities are happening in the world we live in , that human beings are capable of such henious crimes against their own kind , is difficult to accept and very painful .
    Frane

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  25. oh rimly...i've heard several similar stories but not read one... it's a great wonder how God can reveal Himself to enduring souls... yes HOPE is such a powerful weapon... people emerge courageous than ever before... i hope i could share more... but it's armando's floor right now :)... keep up that good fight... the journey is still long ...

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  26. Corinne I think you will really love that book. Your posts are so full of hope and courage.

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  27. His spirit ,
    His courage,
    His braveness,
    All made him the legend,
    His determination is above everything,
    That none could terminate!

    Inspirational article!
    Thanks a lot for sharing such a lovely post :)
    Following you!!
    Cheers!
    -Simran

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  28. How many of us could be that courages I wonder? Beautifully written Rimly. I will have to get the book from my library. It sounds like an excellent read.

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  29. Melissa keep sharing. I enjoy your observations on life, love and relationships. Thank you.

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  30. Simran thank you. You are such a prolific writer and poet.

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  31. Very few Mari. It is so much easier to give up. But sometimes the worst of circumstances bring out the best in us. It is a must read book. Thank you Mari for visiting and leaving your comment

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  32. Wow...powerful poem, I'm going to keep an eye out for that book. Thanks for sharing.

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  33. Really touching and what an amazing poem. I love it when you share your ideas and give me something to go looking for oxox

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