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Beijing carrots and sticks
| Open Poetry #42 |
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Beijing carrots and sticks |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia 
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Nomadic and crimson robed Tibetans do not need Beijing carrots and sticks, do not need numbered settlements lined up like faceless row houses where the Chinese government can ‘help’ them improve their lives. They need independence, freedom to be Tibetan. Tibetan nomads take with them what they need, their yaks, tents, values, Tibetan culture and heritage. Tibetan Buddhist monks desire peace and freedom to follow their own pathways of enlightenment. So this summer when you watch the Olympics, think of the Tibetans. All they ask for is freedom, to be what they wish to be. Please don’t turn your head away when Beijing offers carrots and sticks. The Tibetans need to be free. |
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| © Copyright 2008 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Midnitesun, I'm all for Tibetan independence. In your poem, I'd get rid of the "faceless row house" line. There is nothing wrong with row houses. A lot of us are very comfortable living in our row houses. They are not faceless. Rowhaus Bobby |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Sorry. No intentions of offense here, but the rows of houses built by the Chinese to house the nomadic Tibetans are quite 'faceless' and without any sensitivity to Tibetan culture. It's likely the government's way of keeping a closer watch on the 'nomads' as opposed to humanitarian altruistic intentions. Hope you understand, it's not to be implied that row houses, by design, are 'faceless' or unlivable. Thanks for reading, Bobby! |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
In the news, the Govt. of India is determined to arrest them if they continue to march for their freedom...interesting lesson on tolerance, or should I say lack of tolerance when it comes to beliefs ...James |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Midnitesun, I understand Hon. In years past, row houses were constructed by large corporations to house what was, for all intents and purposes, their slave labor force. As years went by, the descendents of these slave laborers grew attached to their homes. Philadelphia is a city of canyons of red brick facades. It's home, and we love it. As time goes on, I feel sure the Tibetans will too feel at home. It may take generations. Bobby |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
I have been listening to the news about the unrest among the Tibetians and ignoring it as something I can do nothing about. This brings it home. Thank you. Joyce |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I understand what you mean, Kacy. I don't think the Tibetans were meant to live without their freedom, their way of living is in their blood. I think the Chinese government is unleashing some heavy karma on their country. Ida |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
hello midnitesun, Very interesting poem, i agree with the independance of tibet, perhaps our countries could support tibetans by boycotting the games...We should't go there... Yann |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thank you, each, for your comments. Yann, it is true, some kind of international action via 'the Games' may well be the Tibetans best chance. |
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effjayel Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474At the Crossroads of Infinity |
Kacy, Having read your fine post, it reminded me of something that I wrote a long time ago after the tanks crushed people in Tianemen Square. Shortly thereafter, a program was run on Tv depicting the suffering of baby girls born in China. Apparently, they were considered useless as they would only ultimately add to the population when they grew up as opposed to male children who could be put to work. They were kept tied to beds and starved to death. To make matters even worse, around this time our then Foriegn Secretary ( Malcolm Rifkind) went to China to try and 'drum' up business between the UK & China. I got so mad that he could go there and ignore the deaths of these people like it never even happened. I wrote to my local MP enclosing the following poem & asked how they could justify his trip. You will not be surprised to learn I never got a reply..... . . THANK HEAVEN FOR LITTLE GIRLS? Welcome my friends to the dying rooms Where Children are abandoned Fresh from their Mothers wombs What you in the West Consider a Sin Is a fact of life here in Bejing You see it's not just in the public eye like Tianemen Square That we let People die Without a care We have Hundreds of children tied up to their bed And it is in their own interest that soon they'll be dead Their Parents broke the rules So now they pay the price There is no room in our schools and not enough rice All over China the problem is rife Especially in Shanghai Where they are beaten before they die Punished for being given Life Twenty million children were born in the last year from what I understand, You cand count on One hand How many there are still here Now Rifkinds over there discussing Hong Kong Perhaps he doesn't care or consider it wrong For these atrocities don't appear on his list It's almost as if they don't even exist But that's because the Governmental decision Has already been made Forget about Human rights Concentrate on the balance of trade . |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
OMG, John, that reply put lumps in my throat. Indeed, we have the same reaction to such horrors that go on daily. I am incredibly weak in presenting the intensity of such things, and appreciate your ability to hit the subject with such a level of emotional honesty. Many times I've tried to write with greater power and emotion, only to delete words that would burn themselves into this blue screen because my spirit demands I use a gentle 'healing' approach. So I think I end up being didactic and 'telling' rather than 'showing' these scenarios. It's a damn cold world out there, and I've given up on expecting humans to ever learn justice, equality and kindness when their pocket books are threatened. I fear those of us who try to change things for the better are just 'dust' in the wind. |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Dear Kacy, thank you for touching this highly dramatic topic. You put it mildly. Several have died already. I do agree that there must be an international reaction to this cruel act of repression. Beauty fades from life when human rights are ignored and love is lacking Love, Margherita |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Margherita, I knew you would be on the same page with your heartbeat. |
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