'Unto The Least Of These"
Day awakens ... but not the sun
Darkness rages ... darkness won
Children rise on weakened legs
Play in rubble while mother begs
Rich man shrugs ... such a shame
Don't look at me ... they are to blame
I rose on monies earned or borrowed
Have no time for beggars sorrowed
"Hey little girl in your tattered dress
Get an education like teachers stress"
"I would mister rich man ... I surely would
If I had some hope sir ... I think I could"
Excuses made ... echoes all the same
Jealous of all with riches and fame
Echoed message whispers upon the breeze
"Whatsoever you do unto the least of these
You do unto me"
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beautifully written, flo. touches my heart. it is so easy for the 'haves' to look at the 'have nots' and blame them. fortunes turn and that could be any of us. we need to take care of others and not judge. "there but for the grace of god go i."
i particularly liked your opening image of day awakening ... but not the sun.
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Sorry I didn't do this asap.. was in a mental turmoil yesterday :D Those who know me would simply say "what's new."
Thank you for reading this and am touched that you found it worthy of praise. I'm call a "bleeding heart" by many but better that then a cold unfeeling one. Though it might be easier.. :D
Will be more of a fixture on this site after Christmas. Doing what I can now but want to create a lot of Christmas card.. using art to send to Vets still in long-term health facilities.
Again.. thank you and pleased my words were appreciated.
Patricia
The sentiment here goes much further that the rich, and the powerful. Unfortunately it seems to be an incurable disposition of humanity, and you have given us both barrels between the eyes.
You are truly an iconoclast pointing out the disparities of human existence.
XO
Ernie
These are the extra words I need to get points... :-)
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Ah Ernie.. I know.. I was so upset at a posting on FB.. a person who I adore .. posted a piece condemning those on welfare or begging on the street when they can buy drugs.. booze etc etc.. My point being that .. Uh don't be so quick! Some of those men and women you are finding so "loathsome" might be vets.. whose actions keeping you and your family safe. The utter horror they've seen repeating the visions over and over .. Yes.. some use alcohol.. some use drugs... NOT to any fault of their own. Many will stop drinking and doing drug.. it will be swift and final. They will commit suicide. No reaction from my friend..
I try with all of my might to put the face of Christ on many faces in need. First, he would go unrecognized and how he would weep..
We must push on though..
Thank Ernie.. Weill be back full force after Christmas..
Patti
Hi Patti Seems this needed to be said and drove home. You've done it with your bottom of your heart reasoning and pathos. Will we ever 'get it'? Yes, some do. Change is slow. . and too late for most.
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Hey.. Judy! I've missed you! Will try and get an email out.. Haven't forgotten the art.. will explain.
As for my words.. I can only hope and believe that there is more good in man than not. To perhaps learn the ability to step into the shoes of others. The "what if" as with let's say one of those "doped up vets" had been my friend's brother or even her son? Would she have wanted him to be treated as harshly as she talked about? NO.. in fact she is a very loving person who simply didn't take the time to look at the "what ifs." I would rather be a "fool" than turn my back on someone in need. Hunger hurts!!! Cold .. hurts... ridicules slice at one's very soul.
Later gator..
Will be on this site far more in 2017 ...
Patti
I can see you've put considerable thought into this, Patti. When I read it the first time, I saw echoes of the last round of political shenanigans, But, the more I dug into it, I saw a deep commentary of the way things are today. I try my best to see that everyone I touch comes away better for it, which I see as the main theme now.
~Tom
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:D There was some sadness/anger/disappointed woven through the write but due to a post on FB that i've seen before and I've heard the words spewed so many times.. "Get a job" no welfare!! "Welfare shouldn't pay for drugs// booze etc etc etc.. My response was quick.. and yes it was "cutting." There will always be those who cheat the system.. and I did find it hysterical that the person who posted the rant voted for someone who truly cheated the system.. I simply pointed out to not be so quickly to judge as some of those "beggars" may be Vets .. both men and women who saw such horror in keeping the above safe.. that life is so horrific for them that only booze or drugs keep them from blowing their brains out. Then we have the mentally ill.. wouldn't be on the street begging if we had more support and homes for them. It is ALWAYS.. "NOT MY CONCERN" Now these are people who are Christians.. When they turn away from one in need.. they turn away from the Christ they worship. So.. sorry to make it this long.. :D I'm very passionate about this subject.
If it changes the mind of one person.. I will be so happy.
Patti
"Day awakens ... but not the sun Darkness rages ... darkness won" Those words resonate with me very much. There is so much darkness in the human heart, actually, there's some darkness in all of us, but there are those who seem to totally lack the capacity to understand that so much is beyond our control and that so MANY people really have been left out. And so many of them have been handed way more than they deserve or can handle.
I believe in God, but so often He seems uncaring or is hiding. Back 'n' forth I go when I think about Him and when I pray! There are times I'm quite convinced He's on top of everything. Other times I'm raging at Him, asking Him repeatedly, "Why? Why? Why..." That spiritual tug o' war...
I never understand the hearts of some people, whether they're church-goers or atheists. I keep wondering how they can be so hard...
But one thing does help me a little: I too am quite blameworthy much of the time. There's still a lot of apathy and selfishness in me... I need to remind myself of that often. They say "Nothing good dwells in the flesh." I see that truth played out in my life.
Thanks for sharing this!
Mike
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Love the above Mike. I so wish I had more faith. But I ask myself if a child were raised in some secluded space ... and then left to fend for him or herself.. no books at all about any God.. Would he/she even entertain that there is something beyond what he/she has at hand.
Is there a 'natural' inborn tendency to believe or sense more than man sees and touches and feels etc?
All I know about God and religions? WERE taught... and taught very early in life. THUS programed in a way. People "fear" questioning the existence of any God.
ME? there is no way I can come to terms with the belief that one can be a wonderful loving and selfless person and if he or she doesn't believe in This God pounded in to others? He/she goes to some eternal punishment and the absolute horror of a being can at the last moment in their destructive evil life .. ask for forgiveness and go to some magical heaven.
Sounds a lot like the radical side of Muslim teaching that some fear and detest.
I so wish I were talented enough to write an editorial on all of this but I'm not and I also know it would be met not only with rational thinking but with deep-seated bigotry and hatred.
Without religion? Think the world would be a far more peaceful world. And man would still have the capacity to love and do good works.. :D
Patti
Two worlds collide within this piece. Succinct and to the point. I think the first stanza is an absolutely stunning piece of poetry.
Day awakens ... but not the sun
Darkness rages ... darkness won
Children rise on weakened legs
Play in rubble while mother begs
The impact here is one of extreme power. A huge image and concept from a few words. The last two lines also;
I rose on monies earned or borrowed
Have no time for beggars sorrowed
The human condition. Wonderful, truly wonderful. This is the kind of power that I seek to wield with words. That you can craft such, so succinctly raises within me both admiration of your skill and jealously for your skill.
All the very best, Dill x
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Ah thanks.. I got so excited seeing so many reviews pop up. Many call me a bleeding heart but I know it isn't that at all. I knew hunger.. I knew coldness that a little body shouldn't have to endure.
The heartlessness I see on FB as to how those without are without due to decisions they made. "GET a job" etc etc.. They don't get that some can't even rise to their knees and many are vets.. who saw such horror they can't live without drugs or alcohol etc.. forever among the walking dead. AND for what? Protecting those who now have a repugnance for?
Trump came to mind with his making fun of vets and those with disabilities. I am watching my country lose all it has stood for. My son in Brussels has a hard time as finds it so appalling.
You have nada to be jealous of Dill. Your work is "full" of poetry. And most important .. the originality is a bit mind blowing to be honest.
Just finished you contest entry and it reflect what I just said above.
Patti
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