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Poetry by Rowan Evans

Tag: compassion

  • Philippines Earthquake Relief: Standing in Solidarity from Afar

    Rowan Evans

    Across the Distance, My Heart Remains with the Philippines.

    A picture of the Philippines flag at half-mast.
    Philippine flag at half-mast – honoring those affected by recent disasters and standing in solidarity from afar.

    Through connections, friendships, and the lives of people who have touched mine, the Philippines has grown to mean so much to me—the people, the culture, the language. Each interaction has left a mark, each conversation a lesson, and every word of Tagalog I learn feels like a thread linking me closer to a place that has shaped my heart in ways I cannot fully explain.

    Hearing about the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck central regions, coming just days after the devastating storm, hits me hard. The grief, loss, and upheaval families and communities are enduring—it’s impossible not to feel it, even from across an ocean. The overlap of these tragedies makes it feel heavier, like the weight of two storms upon the same shoulders.

    If you feel moved to help, here are reputable organizations providing emergency relief and support:

    Philippine Red Cross – Emergency aid, medical relief, and recovery support across the country.

    GlobalGiving – Provides emergency supplies and long-term recovery assistance.

    Caritas Manila – Coordinates disaster response and long-term recovery efforts.

    Oxfam Pilipinas – Supports marginalized communities and climate resilience programs.

    World Vision Philippines – Provides food, shelter, and child protection during emergencies.

    Save the Children Philippines – Ensures children’s education, health, and protection in disaster-affected areas.

    Even from an ocean away, I feel the weight of what has happened. My thoughts, prayers, and care go out to the people affected. I hope that in the midst of grief, hands find hands, hearts hold fast, and the sun rises again over the islands I love.

    Across the Water

    I feel your grief in every wave,
    Your sorrow carried through the night.
    Hands unseen reach to the brave,
    And hearts across the sea unite.

    Even in the rubble and rain,
    Even when the world feels torn,
    Love threads through the fear and pain,
    A spark that will not be forlorn.

  • You’re Not Alone | Rowan Evans — A Poetic Promise of Hope & Support

    Rowan Evans

    🌒 Invocation
    For the Wounded and Weary

    Come, you who ache quietly,
    you who carry grief like a second skin.
    Enter this space —
    not to be fixed,
    but to be witnessed.
    This is not a cure,
    but a candle.
    Let it flicker for you.

    Pastel sunrise breaking through grey clouds over a misty landscape, symbolizing hope and solace.
    Hope shines brightest through the darkest clouds — ‘You’re Not Alone,’ a poem by Rowan Evans.

    You’re Not Alone
    Poetry by Rowan Evans

    In the pastel shades of a world painted grey,
    I see you standing, lost, in the fray.
    When the weight of your sorrow feels too much to bear,
    Know I’m here with you, always, I swear.

    Through the storms that rage, the endless rain,
    When your heart feels heavy, suffocated by pain,
    I’ll be your shelter, your place to rest,
    When you feel you’ve given all, I’ll give my best.

    You’re not alone in this shadowed night,
    Together we’ll chase away the fear, ignite the light.
    For every tear that falls, I’ll catch it in my hand,
    And plant a seed of hope where despair used to stand.

    When the world feels too sharp, too jagged to touch,
    And even breathing feels like asking too much,
    Know that I’m here, a whisper, a friend,
    A quiet presence with an ear to lend.

    I’ll shoulder your pain, take some of the load,
    Walk beside you on this harrowing road.
    When the clouds seem too thick and the sun’s lost its glow,
    Remember my voice, my promise: you’re not alone.

    In the darkest hours when your soul feels small,
    I’ll be in your corner, catch you when you fall.
    For even when you feel you’re at the end of your fight,
    I’ll be the flame that rekindles your light.

    So, lean on me, friend, and trust in this bond,
    We’ll walk through the rain, from dusk until dawn.
    Together, we’ll face whatever may come,
    You’re not alone—you’re never on your own.

    🌓 Benediction
    For the Ones Still Holding On

    Go now with the knowing:
    You are not too much.
    You are not too broken.
    You are not alone.
    And even when your hands shake,
    you are still worthy of being held.
    Let the poem walk with you awhile.

    Read Next (Suggestions)

    [Tip the Chair] — Neo-Gothic Confessional Poem
    [The Gospel According to the Girl in the Graveyard Dress] — Neo-Gothic Confessional Poem
    [The Hopeless Romantic Wears Armor] — Neo-Gothic Confessional Romanticism Poem
    [Luminescence &  Shadow: A Forbidden Litany] — A Neo-Gothic Confessional Narrative Poem
    [A-Woman (Confessional at the Altar of Her)] — A Neo-Gothic Confessional Romanticism Poem

    Or explore the full archive in [The Library of Ashes]—and if your own confession aches to be written, [commission a custom poem here].

    NGCR25 at checkout to get 25% off your ‘request’…