It was a happening,
a moment in time,
some fifty years ago.
I remember
the pull on my shirt,
a plaintive voice
a cry for help,
the revulsion
that I felt.
For standing there,
Iraqi girl,
age close to seven,
dress torn,
sandals broken,
cupped hands
outstretched;
no nose,
no cheek,
no right eye.
staring out
instead
a gap,
a void,
a fly trapped
festering hole.
Horror struck,
I search,
I find a coin,
a silver one,
to give,
to push
into her hand.
I think
girl with only half a face,
please go away,
please leave my view,
seeing you
I ache, I pain,
I hurt,
for you do offend
my sight.
She had run,
had scurried off,
was quickly gone.
Now when I close my eyes.
Hell. Hell, horrible and painfully honest. This kicks and it hits. To say that a poem is masterfully crafted given its content seems blase; but it is so. t x
Bob what can i say, this really decribes what you saw and felt, for the country and the little girl and war. i am glad i read, it even though sad and dreary, yet very well written. thanks for sharing that with us.
Unfortunately, it seems to be a very human reaction to be repulsed by human suffering. I suppose it's because the 'there but for fortune go I' thing. But all we can do is to try to rise above our repulsion and do what we can to alleviate the suffering of the world. Sadly, the situation you describe here in your poem is much too universal. Governments have to get involved in relieving human suffering, because it is a monumental task, but at this point it is governments that are causing the suffering. Nevertheless, in many cases it is the people that give those governments license to commit these atrocious deeds. It's an uphill battle, but one worth fighting for, if we can find the strength.
now that was very well expressed indeed..you know sir i m against war too..but some how or other we seems to have resolved our domestic conflict by crook or by hook...seems like it s peace after 25 years..there is this person i know..she has seen a terrorist attack with her own eyes at very little age..so she desperately wanted to go to war for vendetta...it s same with the suicide bombers their minds ve been mutuliated., ...and they attack.. all of our minds have been mutiliated and violated by the crooked society.. and war is over i guess, I m glad she doesnt have to go to war now.. anyway vendetta in our country seems to be over, wish it will last for eternity I ll get back to you soon have peace 10++
Written from the heart, I feel your pain but also know the state of your mind at that point in time - rational thinking is swamped by having to be alert, where even innocence is questioned. A tragedy of war touching both victims.
touching moving and hurting...the cruel war and its ugly face...ten for this write Bob
I would also be in pain if i imagine someone standing next to me, half broken inside her.. exelent work! plz keep writing. I vote you a 10! Best wishes xJx
Some memories haunt you forever and especially so if you did'nt do the things you were supposed to do.......... Good Write.............
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
A truthful and open poem about two people in different kinds of pain. Very sad read, but so well-written. It reduced me to tears. Love, Fran xx