Feed the birds

You would not treat so lightly a helpless little stray,

a fledgling, small and fragile, got lost upon its way,

you would not think to shut the door and close the poor mite out,

but serve the milk of kindness, of that there is no doubt.

You would not give a second glance to second best, or less,

or pause the while and contemplate why you are safely kept,

as warm and wrapped within your world, you rarely wonder why

what is more precious formed than gold is often left to die.

Thus, still it is, the mother rocks a young child to her breast;

whose belly empty of all hope is not so equal blessed,

whose comfort grows more thin and cold with every passing day

whilst the flicker frame of conscience most looks the other way.

Whose children are these anyway? Who suffer unto him,

their every dream crushed by the hand of mankind's greatest sin;

whose eyes that held the future are now dulled for ever more,

like flotsam tossed indifferent on some cold and distant shore.

And when the night is closing, as clouds blank out the moon,

do you dream of all those little souls sent up to God too soon,

do you sleep in clearest conscience, the task considered done

and think you know the difference from what's lost and what is won.

And we ought never know again the whipcrack of the gun,

the fusing of the atom, the splitting of the sun;

but will we ever learn enough to stay the cruel hand,

or will memory fade, as it ever has, to the shifting of the sand.

Reviews

[CD Campbell]

This is brilliant. I have Kiplings whole poetic collection in one huge volume that I read at least once a day and this reminds me of him to a tee. I love Kipling! Every stanza stands out like a reverberating bugle blast. I'm wondering how long it took to write this and I am very anxious for a repeat. No pressure right? CD

[Papaya]

Beccy, this was wonderfully written and very much felt.

[Patricia Wedel]

May all the children who are lost
be treated as beautiful fledglings
In need of love and shelter with
nourishment and fresh clean water.
Amen

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Beccy, the joy of a country cottage
surrounded by tall old trees with constant
bird songs ... flying around in various colors
of feathery delight Humming bird feeders
and wild bird feeders as well as a bird bath
keep the joy of life in perspective. Your
poetry is delightful. truly, Pat

[boblakin]

Not just a brilliantly crafted poem, this is a wakeup call made all the powerful by the way you so gently chide mankind for the sins we visit on both this planet and the future, (our children.)

Bravo young lady, you have both a wonderful mastery of the poetic form and a good heart.

boblakin

[Beccy]

Thank you Edward. What a lovely, poetic review.

Taylor. I grieve every time I think about those lost children. I want to care for them all, to wrap them safe in my arms, give them the childhood they deserve. This is a cruel world and one day I fear, a higher hand will decide enough is enough.

Beccy.

[Ed Hart]

ah Beccy, you are worth ten thousand knocks upon your door
and all the flowers garnered from every distant shore
but more than that, you have a heart that sees within the storm
and separates the given fates, where much and none takes form

[Taylor]

Thank you for this beautiful poem and its important message, Beccy. I too grieve about the defenseless children the world over who suffer the most. Those in our cities growing up with abusive parents or in abject poverty, those poor little refugees some of whom move along with the throng without parents or family, others trying to escape gangs and still others living in opulence but without anyone to love to them. You have given voice to the slient.

[fergul]

Exceptional in every way! I have read a number of your poems tonight, you have a great talent. In particular, 'Park benches,' and 'Notes in the margin,' just absolutely floored me.

fergul

[Wolf_Lord]

Very thought provoking. So light and fleecy with such undertones of despair. You invoke the good in peoples hearts who have it while chastising those who are heartless. Very good job. Wolf ,'', ^@@^ ,'',