scars untouched
like stars unseen
in the neglected wastelands
exist
where no cultured eye sees
pain persists
beyond the wall
see no evil
hear no evil
speak no evil
touch no unclean thing
hide
behind the wall
of
ignorance
bigotry
greed
and
pride
there thrive
fattened
off the fattened meats
hoarded
while the wall is boarded
hunger exists
pure
real
aching
a chorus in the wilderness
of empty-belly pleas
that reverberate off a civilized wall
unheard
scars untouched
radiate pain
through the midnight wasteland
the loveliest stars
by industrial giants’
smog-clouded,
wall-protected
eyes
unseen
~
Words and Photography ©2019 Tanya Cliff ~ to contact me
Posted in poetry, free verse, & human rights.
Evocative poem Tanya. Thanks for caring and shining light on the travesty of building walls.
Thank you! In this case, I think “travesty” is a good word. Our human family deserves better.
Agreed.
Powerful. Profound. And perfect for this time we are living in.
Thank you so much! We need to somehow break through the bias that views people as “them” and not a part of “us”—a part of our human family, IMO.
That is where the real wall exists.
Exactly
😊
nice! 🙂
Thank you, Jim! Stay warm this week. 😊
you too sweetie. 😉
I am camping out in front of the fireplace. I might not move until Spring. 😂
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SPEAKING OF WONDERFUL WOMEN….!
Thank you so much, Jonathan! 💕
Wonderful capture of a key piece of our times. Your grasp of the emotional content of these problems is stunning!
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me and encourages me to write more pieces like this.
So beautiful! If we build walls in our hearts, we will build walls on our land.
Agreed! There is where the real walls start. Our human family deserves better than that. Thank you! 😊
Thank you Tanya. We need minds and hearts like yours to see the world like a family.
And like yours, my friend. 🙏😊💕
Sweet like you!
Very, very sharp and spot on, Tanya! I absolutely love it… What an appropriate poem for such a time as this, such a very sad time, indeed. And you’ve inspired me once again! Thank you and blessings to you!
Thank you so much, Jonathan! We inspire each other. Many blessings your way!
Reblogged this on davidbruceblog #2.
Thank you, David! I appreciate the share! 😊
Fantastic post, Tanya!! Your words need to be heard!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! Bellissimo, Tanya, Bellissimo!
xoxoxo
Thank you, Chuck, for the share and the kind words. 😊
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
Tanya, this is so well done, my friend. It leapt off the screen. I particularly love this stanza.
“hunger exists
pure
real
aching
a chorus in the wilderness
of empty-belly pleas
that reverberate off a civilized wall
unheard”
We have a poverty problem in this country that does not get talked about. It amazes me that a country with our wealth has so many that go hungry. Keith
And yet, we waste so much. Landfills grow fat on the spoils of our excess, while children go hungry. I am glad you liked the piece, Keith.
Thank you! 😊