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Open Poetry #33
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Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa

0 posted 2004-08-27 04:41 PM


Grazing free amongst the trees
in the peace of all alone
a lumbering old elephant
looks forward, never back,
in his quest for nourishment.    

The air is fresh and clean
away from concrete towers
where shadows come alive
and slink and slither silently
out into the streets.

Africa, South Africa,
from whence doth garbage come
that blows from dingy alleyways
into the country air
and settles in my nostrils
the smell of evilness?

Behind my back a whirlwind
swirls remnants of the past
across the sky into my life
and onward to the future
to settle there and procreate
more garbage for the young.

Africa, South Africa,
where have the children gone
who once played hide and seek
amongst bushes, brambles, trees,
and climbed up rocky outcrops
happy and at ease?

And Africa, South Africa,
where change and turmoil reign
you are today, indeed you are,
a land that swallows children
and regurgitates more crime
to steal and kill the spark of hope
I light most every day!

© Copyright 2004 Helen - All Rights Reserved
Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
1 posted 2004-08-27 05:07 PM


A heartache of a write, Helen. I can feel your frustration with some of the changes that have taken place the past few decades, and a foreboding of what the future holds.
As most of the next generation of children will be raised within cities, the face of Africa will change.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2004-08-27 06:14 PM


Helen

Your words light a candle of hope so often within my own heart...I wish the same for your country.  One person and one forward step at a time.  

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
3 posted 2004-08-27 06:28 PM


Your country is one of the great heartbreaks of the 20th century, a prime example of the horror that can at times come from well intended people folowing good intentions.
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
4 posted 2004-08-28 01:49 AM


  Though I have never been, I feel the truth and sorrow of this.  ....jo
Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
5 posted 2004-08-28 03:30 AM


Thank you all for reading and taking the time to comment.  It's not all bad here but the uncertainty sometimes gets to one.  I, unfortunately, found myself in one of those areas where one just shouldn't be - it happens sometimes and then I know ... one can live without breathing.  
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