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WindWalker
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218


0 posted 2009-09-14 12:28 PM


The Forgotten Ones

We react with horror and sadness
as innocent people die of terrorist attack
in the back yard of a “world power”
but do not feel the much greater horror
of systematic oppression of smaller nations
at the hands of the bully – and I ask “why?”

Economic policies starve entire countries
and children die from lack of food and water;
lands are raped of resources, impoverished
while their leaders are well fed and healthy
because they do the bully’s bidding;
the people wander naked, sick, hungry...
and we who live in the bully’s back yard
do not feel, and cannot feel, and I ask “why?”

In third and fourth world countries,
most don’t live beyond thirty,
because the fat of the land is taken
to the land of the free and the home of the brave;
and I ask about those who die in natural disasters:
I don’t even bother asking where God’s love is,
but where is our natural compassion
and our sense of outrage in all of this?
Is it all reserved for ourselves and our friends
and our sacred beliefs about the rightness of our cause?

Where is the collective compassion
for these thousands who die daily around the world?
Who die, we so well know, of preventable causes?
Where is that five minutes of silence in memory
of those who ensure we keep our abundance?
From the dust of the earth their voices, not silent yet,
cry to us to remember their sacrifice...
but we want to silence their cries for justice;
we want them to remain the forgotten ones –
otherwise, how could we justify our indignation?
We’ve always had someone to pay for our extravagance
are we to give up our favored status in God’s eyes?

© Copyright 2009 Sharran WindWalker - All Rights Reserved
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
1 posted 2009-09-14 07:21 AM


Yes, there is truth in your words. I always think that no peace will ever be possible, as long as there will even remain one child dieing of hunger. And indeed to eliminate poverty in the world should be the absolute priority. Why we don't succeed, though there are so many humanitarian organizations, is really disturbing. The gap between the rich and the poor is intolerably deep.
But we can't generalize, because in the world there are many many people who work and dedicate their lives to alleviate the suffering of children, to help political refugees, to build hospitals and schools where there are none.
But unless the human rights won't be applied worldwide, the roots of the problems won't be eradicated.
Thank you for this.
May awareness expand more and more ...
May we all contribute as much as we can in making this world change.
Love,
Margherita

anniepimm54
Member
since 2009-09-03
Posts 110

2 posted 2009-09-14 08:08 AM


I agree with Margherita
excellent write and as you say
there will be no end to the war and hatred or hunger very sad
Annie

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
3 posted 2009-09-18 08:33 PM


a 'write' that should 'revisit' the top of the "P.I.P.-land" queue!

"where is our natural compassion
  and our sense of outrage in all of this?"...

now that  IS  the question indeed!

I am glad some folks have the courage (and stamina)
to pen these 'social impact/conscience' pieces!

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
4 posted 2009-09-19 12:53 PM


Fine writing...James
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
5 posted 2009-09-19 05:06 PM


Sad to say but the world is as it has always been. Perhaps to create drama for those watching the play.
                               Ida

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