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Open Poetry #5
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The pitch and timbre of her cry
| Open Poetry #5 |
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The pitch and timbre of her cry |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion 
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They found the baby in the trash on that bitter morn, In a bag, where it was placed soon after it was born. A passerby heard the little baby's pleading cries, And rescued her from the cold where she'd surely die. The child is in a hospital because she was found in time. It truly is a miracle considering how cold it was outside. The mother of the child was young, and is arrested now, Attempted murder is the charge. It's all the law allows. The mother is Jamaican, a child of almost nineteen years, She was staying with some friends when the baby's time was near. What could have prompted her to do this deed that she had done? What overpowered the maternal instincts that in women run? The story appears to begin with the finding of that child, Freezing, lost, abandoned there, totally defiled. But it is only the latest chapter in what must be the tragic life Of a lonely desperate woman who destroyed herself that night. The community is in an outrage over this callous deed. How could somebody be so heartless to leave a child to freeze? They've vocally condemned this woman for her act that morn, Leaving the child outside to die while she was safe and warm. How do you feel about a woman who could leave a child to die, While she rested without a care(?), warm and safe inside? How could she turn her back that morn and quickly walk away, From another human, knowing fully of her fate? If the baby girl had been a day older than she is now, Would you feel any different about what the law allows? "Of course not," you say, "It's not the age that makes this such a crime." "How could she be so inhuman, to leave that little one outside?" Had the child been a little older on the day when she was found, Would it be more acceptable when the mother set her down? Again you say, indignantly, "The age doesn't matter at all!" "A loving person wouldn't leave another to suffer and fall." Be clear my friend, before you speak, of what it is you feel. The anger there inside you, I'm sure that it is real. No human being of flesh and blood would ever turn its back, And leave its own to die alone in the cold and black. What of the many helpless who are not rescued from the cold? Those we pass by on the street as we hurry onward home? At least one of them will die tonight in the bitter winter wind. Does their age or circumstance matter in the end? Now think back to that helpless babe who'd been left out to die, And who's only saving grace was the pitch and timbre of her cry. Had she been some years older she would have perished unbereaved, Because seldom do we find compassion for the people of the street. Will we all be equally guilty when the crime reoccurs tonight? When the bitter winter calls again to take another life? For as you said, indignantly, "The age doesn't matter at all!" "A loving person wouldn't leave another to suffer and fall." The woman who left her baby there will be punished for her crime. Will we be punished too, when it finally comes our time, And we face our final judgement for all the things we've done, Or the things we failed to do for someone else's little one? [This message has been edited by LngJhnAg (edited 01-31-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Waterman - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
How often I've heard of these horrors.....How often I've thought about the mother and the babe.....Whatta tragedy....Whatta poem! |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Thanks, old friend. I think the problem is so overwhelming that we turn away because we believe that our single, isolated action to help does not matter. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Excellent picture of several of life's tragedies! Well done, sailor! |
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Lorelei54 Member
since 1999-07-27
Posts 458 |
The things that touch my mans heart continue to amaze me. I know he listens and hears what is reported, but when somehting like this comes off the tips of his fingers and flows like old wine, I know I have found a man who is senstive and caring and a real lover of life, new and old. Thank You Mike for being so loving. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Powerful poem, Mike. We should all seek to do all we can to help our fellow man. It does seem overwhelming at times. We wonder what could we possibly do to make a dent in the problem. We could all do something.....and if we all did something, then much would be done. Thanks for this thought provoking piece. Denise |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
This is a very well written piece LJ... sorry I missed it before... |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Hey there, Reb - thanks for the kudos - believe it or not, I actually worked on those verses - |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
LJ this is a very profound piece of writing and thinking here! WOW!! It is a tragedy what she did, and any mother in their "right" mind, at least I'd like to think, couldn't do that to her own child. I guess we do over look those on the street. Everybody deserves a helping hand! Absolutely terrific! <*\\\>< Where there is faith, there is love. Where there is love, there is peace. Where there is peace, there is GOD. Where there is GOD, there is no need. Hallmark |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
You always amaze me, LongJhn. You can go from buffoon to bard in 6 seconds flat! I love your humor but, when you sit down to write from the heart, it is always spectacular....and here you've done it again. |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Dove and 'Deer - thanks for those compliments. Coming from you two means a lot to me. Its true I enjoy being a buffon at times, but there is a part of me that, I think at times, cares a little too much about what I'm NOT doing in my life to help others. I think this poem reflects more on me than on others. |
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Buffpimp Junior Member
since 2000-01-23
Posts 39 |
This is a very compassionate piece I thought. It touched me from my heart all the way to the unknown recesses of my soul. This piece is so very true and yet very sad. This shows what a great writer you are, and yet how much you care for the world. Keep up this loving attitude, we need more of it Patrick |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
LongJhn- What a marvelous comparison you've made between the 'ages' of our indifference. Brings to heart that we need to be more in tune to the needs of all humans. While we all summon rage at the plight of that babe left in the cold, many/most turn a deaf ear and unseeing eye to the needs of others left out in the cold to die. Mike, this is a tender look into a compassionate heart. We should all be so moved as to wonder what good those extra blankets do us piled on a closet shelf. Powerful piece. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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jascanvey Member
since 1999-12-26
Posts 130England |
Your poem brought goosebumps to my skin, how true it is that we pass people by without thinking about how we can make a difference to their lives. Thankyou for opening our eyes. |
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Ted Reynolds Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 331 |
"And if the little baby had been a few days younger than she is now, Would you feel any different about what the law allows? Just because she's still nestling in trust within her mother's womb . . ." I can't finish. And it's not just the women, confound it! Can't we bring some conscience to these damned (I don't use the word lightly) men! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
What does a "street" person do? Where do they go? How do they get help? How do they handle life's dilemmas?..."There but for the Grace of God...." Nice work, Mike ...and thank God that child was saved.. |
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Saxoness
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102Texas |
How sad. And how insightful. Thank you for sharing this "Glory remains unaware of my neglected dwelling where alone I sing my tearful song which has charms only for me." -Charles Brugnot |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
In read this earlier, but could not type though my tears. This is very moving , indeed. Thank you for posting this topic You did a beautiful job Liz |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
This is oh so touching and oh so sad  |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
LJA: Wow, you got me on this one..I have to say I'd be concerned for both but the child more as she would be defenceless without help but I also wonder at the plight that causes a mother to do this, must be so absolutely scary...and where was the father, family or friends..so sad to be so alone! Superbly written.. HUSG Memories give you the power to collect roses in the winter... |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Patrick - Thanks for responding and elucidating what I tried to say. Yanno, your Forums name really threw me because I didn't expect to see such compassion coming from Buff.. lol - I'm a classic when it comes to misjudging people, as I think I've misjudged you by your name. Your heart shows clearly, and it is pure. Marge - Thak you for your comments, especially, "We should all be so moved as to wonder what good those extra blankets do us piled on a closet shelf." This is so, so true. I have extra pairs of gloves, and at least one or two extra ski hats, and several extra coats. I haven't used them in years. What could have I have possibly been thinking? jas - thank you for your comments. It does my soul good to know that there is something inside me that is noble enough to touch somebody else. Ted - Talk about being profound and complex! "And if the little baby had been a few days younger than she is now, Would you feel any different about what the law allows? Just because she's still nestling in trust within her mother's womb . . ." I can't finish. And it's not just the women, confound it! Can't we bring some conscience to these damned (I don't use the word lightly) men! I could have written this poem to address either of two subjects. The first subject is the plight of the homeless. The other subject you so perceptively nailed - abortion - If the mother had simply had a late term abortion a few days earlier, she would have accomplished the same end without the public outcry and possible prosecution, and it could have been funded by our tax dollars. Truly, she had lousy timing. Your other comment about men who will not step up and accept responsibility for their part in thiese tragedies was also very well stated. Thanks, Ted. Nan - I agree with you about the grace of God. I am also confused about street people and where they go, and what they do. I know that MANy are caught in a vicious circle: Without a home address, they cannot get a job; without a job, they cannot get a home address. It is also true that some of them don't want anything other than what they already have; but, surely, not all of them are like that. Are they? Thank you for your comments, Sax, Liz, and Hootessa. |
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