Poetry Jam
My heart breaks when I see this photo. I don't see it as a tourist photo opportunity. I have seen so much suffering that I can never comfortably fit back into my own space again.Neither can I fit into theirs. The only space I fit now,is the one between my ears. Maybe Kim Kardashian could donate a new photo of her arse to this poor chap and then not only could he buy a vehicle, but would be able to support his entire village. Sometimes I feel ashamed to be alive.
we live in a world
obscene and unjust,controlled
by mammon and vice
becak
They made them race in the scorching sun. I remember the sweat, the throbbing veins
as I watched the riders doubled over in agony as they stopped to the hearty guffaws of their fat white tourist passengers presenting them with a few dollars for their entertainment. As a Christian I could have asked God to forgive them As a pc person I could have argued their unacceptable behaviour. Instead, as a bush sheila , a tirade of abuse was hurled at them with such potency that I'm sure the earth stood still for a second, resulting in the zip sound of the reopening of wallets
and the whoosh of departing dollar notes to the victims.
departing dollars
are the only loss and pain
most westerners feel
Very heart rendering emotions pouring here. These things are common in developing or underdeveloped countries. Why to go far, here in India too such sights are common and onlookers just cannot do anything, its a part of life here.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how little, some rice, a few cents, every poem written to give these people exposure helps to make a change Vandana. Never ever accept ..."this is part of life here".... a bee buzzing in the elephant's ear can drive him crazy and bring him down eventually. We all need to cultivate a culture of giving what we can afford to the less fortunate than ourselves.If we all did, it would change everything and it would not even be a hardship to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI identify with your feelings here. I have felt that way too in places filled with poverty, though I was never able to make the noise you describe!! When I worked with the very poor in part of Africa and got very discouraged someone told me to remember that even helping one person a little bit does something and you just can;t give up.
ReplyDeleteStrong words, Rallentanda. I guess that those who have stopped caring have forsaken a bit of humanity. I agree that every little thing can help.
ReplyDeleteWe do need to get into the hearts of others. Both poems made good points worth thinking about. That is one of the jobs of the poet -- to awaken people's sleeping consciences. This you have done.
ReplyDeletesometimes i feel ashamed to be alive...that says enough...it blows my mind the statistics of people that dont have fresh water...for as advanced as we are....we do quite a bit overseas directly and indirectly....we sponsor children...a good friend supports a village as well and we work through him to buy wells and animals for them...it never feels like enough though....
ReplyDeleteThe greater majority of people do nothing.
Delete"Sometimes I feel ashamed to be alive." the line says it all Rallentanda...
ReplyDeletepotent words
ReplyDelete“We have never preached violence, except the violence of love, which left Christ nailed to a cross, the violence that we must each do to ourselves to overcome our selfishness and such cruel inequalities among us. The violence we preach is not the violence of the sword, the violence of hatred. It is the violence of love, of brotherhood, the violence that wills to beat weapons into sickles for work.”
ReplyDeleteOscar A. Romero
'The Violence of Love'
(If you can, get hold of a copy)
How very true, Rall. Mammon and Vice do rule and it is only up to the minority to try and put things right - seems to be an impossible task, but some of us will never give up.
ReplyDeleteWell done. Truly.
ReplyDeleteThe second one is soooo touching
ReplyDeleteLike the second halibun more
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
Whoof! So true, and that second Halibun was quite profound. I do what I can supporting groups that stop human trafficking, rescue girls and provide homes and education in India, nets in Africa. So much to be done, it breaks my heart. Great write
ReplyDeletevery true.....so well-said and well-written.....
ReplyDeletevery intense lines..with reality..humanity is rationed here..and it's sad...great write :)
ReplyDeleteso true and so sad
ReplyDeleteIt certainly sucks. This world is so unfair and unequal... It would be great if everyone had exactly the same chances and life conditions all over the world. I sometimes feel ashamed to be alive too... A very moving write, Rallentanda!
ReplyDelete