Donation

Half the world is fat,

half the world is thin

and half the world is 

still locked out, still

trying to get in.

And the flicker flame of conscience 

is that all pervading screen,

those little arms as thin as sticks,

those eyes that haunt your dreams;

and you would not harm so lightly

the kitten taken in,

or the chance on Sunday mornings

to absolve a little sin.

Yet that envelope discarded

like a coin dropped to the floor,

becomes no more than memory,

one more pebble on the shore;

but still the world turns endless on,

the wheels of commerce spin,

whilst half the world is still locked 

out, still trying to get in.

So sleep dear child, sleep all you can,

dream every wish come true;

for this world is thin,

as thin can be

but not so thin as you.  

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, one starving child is one too many---we need to take care of our own....we are always so quick to find ourselves in other countries helping those in need...but we have many here who need our help.

[sereenaoutloud]

so very true, i couldn't agree more. Well put , Great write!

[Coyote Poetry]

I did like the logic of this poem. You twisted the words to create a perfect ending. I had to read again. The world is odd. It seem we gain no ground with new advancement. A strong ending to the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Beccy]

Thank you all for your lovely reviews. I feel very strongly about such things. One starving child in this world of surfeit is one too many.

Beccy.

[Tom]

Yes indeed, so many sit within their ivory towers and grow evermore corpulent and rotund, proportionate only to their pious pomposity and sanctimonious indifference to the genuine needs of those less favoured and fortunate, who struggle day & daily on a meagre existence !

A wonderful espousing epiphany to the poor and indeed, ' Suffer the little children ' !

[Neville]

Wow a thoroughly enjoyable read from one end to'ther Beccy a real good un in my book... All Good Things, Neville

[Beccy]

Thank you for your lovely review April. I used flicker rather than flickering for two reasons really. The first reason was I felt it's definition, (to pass briefly or quickly,) best suited what I was trying to convey in terms of how conscience might quickly flare, but then just as quickly fade. Secondly, it seemed to make the line flow more smoothly; whereas, flickering, which I confess I did consider, felt a little cumbersome syllable count wise.

Again, thank you for your lovely review.

Beccy.

[AprilRN1210]

I adore this piece.. the first stanza is my absolute favorite... the flow of this is dreamy.. wheeew.. The sweet, gentle, telling tone of the piece is stunning and moving.. it tugs on the heartstrings and makes you sigh with contentment at the end... well done...

on a side note** just a suggestion..
"And the flicker flame of conscience"... think it would sound better if you said "flickering"... (just a suggestion, my opinion, for what it is worth..)

This is a wonderful piece that is so beautifully written...

[Lydia Shutter]

What a delightful ditty this is....with a good message too. The rhythm is charismatic and the rhyme is absolutely flawless! You even take a poke at religion in between the lines. Beccy, this one rocks! Lydi**

[Frieda P]

This reads as a song, has its own melody, I love the awareness it presents in your own sassy style.