A Poet’s Conviction
/Dr. Frank Alexander Clark
Dear Helene,
Your repetitive rapid rampant winds
and relentless ruthless remorseless rains
assaulted the Southeast with force
leaving trees, power lines, bodies of water, roads, and inhabitants melancholic
and traumatized!
Devastation and death became acquainted with one another while perseveration was submerged pleading for a life line.
Sorrow and disbelief embraced while mourning our trees whose purpose and longevity were uprooted.
Suffering and doubt stood powerless seeking generators of restoration and resuscitation.
Scarcity and fear became ravenous searching for periods of sustenance and satiety.
The before and the after, a stark juxtaposition
for the lenses of aerial photographers.
Your destruction will be etched in history.
However,
Our resolve remains durable and deep rooted in faith.
Our hands of humanity will restore cities with the power of prayer and passion.
Our hearts of thanksgiving will sync in rhythm as we clothe our neighbors with Godly love.
Our tear ducts will create waterfalls of abundant hope.
Our mules of humility will bear gifts of peace and antidotes for healing.
And
Our pain will be transformed by the everlasting light.
Bio: Dr. Frank Alexander Clark is a board-certified adult outpatient psychiatrist at Prisma Health-Upstate. He also serves as clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville. Dr. Clark received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth College in Illinois and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University. He then completed his residency in general psychiatry at Palmetto Richland Hospital in Columbia, SC.
In addition to his psychiatric practice, Dr. Clark has held many leadership positions in national organizations including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association. He is the immediate past president of the South Carolina Psychiatric Association. Additionally, Dr. Clark is believed to be the first Black President of the Greenville County Medical Society.
Dr. Clark is prolific poet who uses his creative side to provide a voice and raise awareness for issues pertaining to mental health and diversity, equity, and inclusion. He serves on the board of the Bellevue Literary Review. Dr. Clark has collaborated with composers globally who have set his poetry to music. His works have been performed by the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Wild Beautiful Orchestra. His poems have also been featured on an album in collaboration with Grammy Award Winning PARMA Recording label.
He has published two children’s book, Positively Haiku: Illustrated Affirmations in 17 Syllables and Positively Haiku Part 2: Peace, Love, Discovery in 17 Syllables. The books provide children early exposure to positive affirmations using haiku poetry. Dr. Clark is passionate about faith and family. He enjoys exercising, traveling, and attending sporting events.
