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Open Poetry #5
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Have You Ever Seen Poverty?
| Open Poetry #5 |
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Have You Ever Seen Poverty? |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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Have You Ever Seen Poverty? Have you ever been lonely Have you ever felt heart-sick Have you ever shivered alone in the night Have you ever seen youngsters Down there in the ghetto Jumping to music in utter delight Have you ever seen sunrise Casting a shadow Onto the faces confronting the day Gathering water Gathering sunbeams Saying a prayer that's not easy to pray Have you ever been happy Clapping to rhythm Looking poverty straight in the face Have you ever wondered What is the answer What is the purpose for all this disgrace Have you ever seen nudity Walk in the streets And not ever knowing the feel of a shoe With soles of the flesh Thickened like leather A changing voice of a teen as he's talking to you Have you ever said something Something of beauty Something to light up the face of a child Bringing a smile Making her giggle Making her revel in joy for a while Have you ever noticed All of the young ones Floating on moonbeams that blanket the earth Stripped of inherent Innocent feelings Innocence taken the day of their birth Have you ever known one A twelve year old child Going into the shadows to sell what he can Taken in hunger And cold desperation By men who would force him the mold of a man Have you ever waited For something to happen Down there in the darkening streets of the slum Holding a little one Tight in your arms Wondering if this be until kingdom come Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 02-03-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Elizabeth: You've shown so well that poverty isn't really about finances... I grew up very very POOR but with a wealth of love... in a community where hugs and discipline were distributed without regard for whose kid did what.... you couldn't get away with much but you were always aware that you and your actions MATTERED to many. *S* Poverty carries with it a despair and hopelessness that goes deeper than an empty wallet. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Dear Suthrn, I wasn't even going to post this poem because I didn't think anybody would understand it. And you not only understood but lived it. I was only a visiter to poverty, and although it was a terrible poverty, there was music, dancing, birthdays, laughter, though many young people had absolutely no clothing to wear, and young boys so often sold their bodies in exchange for food, and later danced in the street. Your respose was wonderful! Thank you for sharing those insights. Liz |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Elizabeth: yes, is the answer...both sides of the coin...not much love but a warm house and the other side where I was homeless and on the streets for quite some time...I was a teenager then though and somehow survival becomes an art form...thankfully I blocked much of it out so don't remember much or if I do, I try not to remember it...the sacriest part was when my daughter was born, I had to make myself homeless to get us a home and that was frightening, the places we were sent belong in a nightmare...so yes..I kind of understand what you're writing here but I wish I didn't. HUSG The grape passes through the press to yield wine. Your life must pass through the press of passion and pain to yield the wine of wisdom.. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Rainbow, I knew there was something very special about your spirit, and now I know why. I understand exactly what you went through, and yes, with years many memories, fade, but what remains are the emotions of it, the feeling of pain, that is very distinct. Thank you for opening this part of your life. I can't believe these responses. They are overwhelming in content Liz [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 02-03-2000).] |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
I have seen poverty in the children in my care, with mothers on wellfare and fathers that have disappeared. I have seen the poverty of neglect in toddlers and infants faces where care has been stomped on by bitter dispair, and a slap is not discipline, but anger at another mouth to feed and no money, no life, no dreams left and no hope, and the need for someone to blame. Poverty is a vicious cicle that perpetuates itself. But, I have also seen children so brave in its face that you know they will make it. I have seen one teenage mother of two gather strength from somewhere and in determination win, with love for herself and her children. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I am one of the fortunate ones. I never experienced poverty of love or money....a few rough spots in the money department from time to time but I have what is needful. I think the best frame of mind to adopt is to learn to be content in lack or in abundance. Your poem is very powerful and thought provoking. I'm glad you posted it. Denise |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Martie, Another ineresting response, it seems lately I'm learning so much about my poet friends. The responses are astounding. Thanks, Martie Denise, thanks for your response, I'm so glad you liked the poem Liz |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Sorry Elizabeth but I've sort of been watching and reading this post...sometimes it's good to be serious and debate and be thankful but most importantly - to share because from sharing we grow.....excellent responses here but that's a tribute to the poet. HUSG The grape passes through the press to yield wine. Your life must pass through the press of passion and pain to yield the wine of wisdom.. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
"The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the less you have, the more free you are. Poverty for us is a freedom." ~Mother Teresa I grew up in a family of 7 kids, my father struggled to make ends meet while we were growing up. We never had new clothes or all the new toys other kids had...but I never, ever considered myself poor. We had wealth that money could not buy  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Yes, it is a tribute to the poet Rainbow. I got so caught up, I neglected the poet who caused all that thinking. Great poem Liz, from a thoughtful, caring and wise poet. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
I am so thankful for learning so much about the people I've so admired. These responses have been wonderful and so enlightening. Thank you all very much. Hoot, my background is kind of like yours. But I never knew povery like what I saw overseas. I can't really describe it. But the point is , it's all relative. In the darkest of corners there is still love and laughter, and some of the ugliest aspects of poverty to them are a normal and valid part of their lives.Thanks Rainbow, Hoot and Martie for your kind remarks Liz |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
Elizabeth, what a wonderful thought provoking poem. I am amazed by your talents. On the flip side of this, I have seen and worked with many teens whose families have more money than you can shake a stick at and yet the kids are so neglected, there is no happiness in the home, disharmony is the norm. Kids who CHOOSE to go to the streets, because at least there, they will find someone who will accept them and love them as they are. It matters not how strait the gate; How charged with punishments the scroll; I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. --W.E. Henley |
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Soleil Member
since 1999-06-12
Posts 113 |
I have passed this way... |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Elizabeth, my friend- You know me, I love someone who touches the realities of life. You've done this remarkably in this piece. I've not been subject to what I've come to know as poverty. But I've reached out and touched it, held it in my arms, tried to leave a smile and prayed God, I could do more. And cried because I knew I couldn't. The look on the face of poverty is a look that hurts my heart. I try but cannot change it ... but if only in one little corner of this world ... I try. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Tara, Another interesting responce, Thank you. Soleil, Me to, Thanks Marge, You are one of the most compassionate people I have aver met, Marge, Don't ever chamge. Thank you for this loving response Liz |
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