If this offends you look away, you may
Not like what I have to show you or what I have to say.
So many people tapped in pain and fear
So many souls asking us for help loud and clear.
Wonderful people in the evening of their lives
Lonely and neglected, lost souls, lost husbands, lost wives.
Easy pickings for bullying evil staff
Ignoring their charges, at their pain they just laugh.
Teenagers starving themselves into ghosts
Believing the thinner they grow they will be acceptable to the heavenly hosts.
Their parents sins telling on them
Young tortured souls punishing themselves again and again.
Couples caught in merciless arguing rounds
Pulling each other deeper, deeper under ground.
Desperate and hopeless attacking themselves.
Cutting and bleeding into themselves deeper they delve
What are we doing how can all this come to pass
Blood being let from veins by scissors and glass.
Ignored, neglected, forgotten brushed under the carpet
Look away now, pretend it’s not real. God help you pet.
No? this is none of your doing? so don’t worry or fret!
Jan 17, 2014 @ 01:12:28
Nice poem!
Jan 17, 2014 @ 07:51:53
Thank you it is a sad statement on today’s society that I can write these words and know that they are true.
Jan 17, 2014 @ 07:40:16
A sad but authentic view of life these days, and so the understanding that we can offer will help to make sense of what is a tragic lifestyle. Hope is forever and together there is another way 🙂 A fine posting of awareness Willowdot.
Andro xxxx
Jan 17, 2014 @ 07:58:32
Yes Andro it really makes me want to reach out and help. Sometimes we need to shock to alert people to the sad reality of life. I want to help xx
Jan 17, 2014 @ 08:09:45
Yes Andro it is a sad state of affairs when all this is true , I feel I need to shock people to draw their attention to what is going on. I feel I need to help. Have a good day my friend. xx
Jan 17, 2014 @ 12:06:09
I can’t help but thinking as I read this about all of the people who close their eyes to anything outside themselves, especially if it request empathy, or heaven forbid, action. The reason I say this is that some people bemoan all that needs to be done in the world, while at the same time not even taking time to help one or two people among those they meet everyday. It takes so little to reach out to another, but so many of us are too busy to do anything for anyone else. I fear we are becoming a group of people who are so inwardly focused on what satisfies us in the moment.
At the same time, what I notice about what you write is that you are calling attention to the individual suffering that is multiplied by thousands. There are so many others out there who talk about what they believe are “bigger” issues, but most of the time, it’s simply talk and debate, very little real action.
This piece reminds me that the times I take to help another person, one to one, is important, especially in that person’s life. If their lives are touched by caring, they may be able to return the favor. We can’t wave a magic wand to end suffering and problems, but we can make differences in whatever ways our own lives allow. Most importantly, we need to wake up and see the possibilities for making that kind of difference.
I think that’s what I like most about your writing. You challenge us to see the pain in the everyday situations we find ourselves in, and to do something about it.
Thanks, WIllow!
Jan 17, 2014 @ 19:14:56
Yes Deborah we do need to look out for and help each other. We need to keep shouting and bringing these things slap bang in front of their eyes.
It is no good to say awe! poor thing we need to help we need people to know, open their eyes and see. Thank you Deborah, thank you for listening!
Jan 17, 2014 @ 23:23:11
Thank you for speaking! I was thinking this morning about all the people who cross our paths that really need someone, and it’s so easy to just put blinders on and say it’s not our problem. For example, some people think that I spend way too much time with my students outside of class. But I’m going to tell you that I’m in awe of the number of students who eventually will share their burdens and accept assistance if someone will just take the time to smile or invite them to talk.
We may not think touching the lives of one or two people makes a difference, but it does. Doing nothing just perpetuates the problem.
Keep speaking the truth, WIllow! If even one person starts DOING something instead of just saying, AWWW, you’ve made a difference. And I believe that you are reaching many more people than you know.
Jan 18, 2014 @ 11:10:25
Well done you, every student you help is is one less frighted or troubled soul. All we can do is reach out and offer. Sometimes even just a smile in passing is enough. xxxx
Jan 18, 2014 @ 11:11:42
We need to keep pushing the message, we must never give up on trying.
Jan 17, 2014 @ 23:42:59
Great poem, powerful message and so aptly put!
Jan 18, 2014 @ 11:08:14
Thank you so much. xx
Jan 18, 2014 @ 06:45:27
Very painful, Willow, and true. The picture of the elderly folk is really sad. Just too sad.
Jan 18, 2014 @ 11:07:49
Yes it is so sad, why are there so many sad and desperate people. Depression , repression , pain and grief are no respecter of age or gender or even nationality. Love to you and Daniel.xxxxx