CRACKED MUD

hunger, starvation

CRACKED MUD

 

Bloated bellies

Void of food, drink

Rich with air, the kind that hurts

It pleads to be nourished

No mother’s milk, flattened like a pancake

Arid landscape

Cracked mud to the horizon

 

Naught cultivates, not even a wildflower, a bush

Children wail as they cling to mother’s long sari

Bony spurs bulge out of skin, crave meat

The cows starve as well

 

Drought is the nemesis of this African universe

Powerful sun rejects the clouds

Still, clear starlit night sky

The moon rises and falls

Yet the rains hide beyond the planets

An aura of hunger casts gloom upon this domain

 

Reviews

[Gee]

Brings to mind the biafra genocide where every news bulletin was chock full of images of the starving and dying.
A powerful piece of writing Betty.
Hope you are well

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks for your review Gee!
Best, B

[John the Baptist]

A heartbreaking read here. Famine is afoot in both east and west Africa, the result of drought. Organizations like the World Food Program try to alleviate these situations, but if the climate keeps changing, things will only get worse. A very evocative word picture of a disaster.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much John, ready appreciated!
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

So sad that lack of rainfall can be so devastating to many. A thought provoking write dear Betty. What we take for granted every day would be a precious gift to some. Lovely poem of awareness

Such a sad posted image. Hurts to look at those little faces and their malnourished bodies.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks always Chris for your thoughtful reviews.
Truly, B

[Ranger Kessel]

A nice poem to promote awareness. Never give u o. I am mire aware if thus issue having read yiur work. Thanks fir sharing

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your review...yes a real problem and climate change doesn't help the situation.
Best, B

[Samuel Dickens]

And with weather across the globe being disturbed and changed, I'm afraid things aren't going to get any better for those poor people. Surely, they'll need a lot of help from caring nations. Your poem showcases their distress and misery most well.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Sam, yes they get very little international attention.
Truly, B

[zainul]

Dear Betty,
I am very pleased to note your love and sympathy for the African people through your picturesque poem.You really depicted a painting of hunger and famine stricken area.We need to worry about useless wars and invasions taking place across the world which ultimately create such sufferings of people.
Let the leaders grow real love for people.
Best,
Zainul

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Z. yes it's so sad, and it seems like most people don't care; Your review was very thoughtful.
Best, B

[zainul]

You are most welcome,great painter.

[Patricia]

Very powerful writing to a very powerful image but even without it I could see it clearly in my mind. A very real problem that this world just can’t overcome for many reasons. Thank you for sharing this as we need reminding to help anyway we can even the smallest donation helps. Such a dangerous place for our volunteers. Fantasy writing! Loved it!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear P. and yes, nobody seem to care either. Hugs to you.
B.

[Patricia]

oh and I meant fantastic writing, stupid smart phone is not that smart LOL

[Betty Hermelee]

I know what you meant!!! Thank you my dear P.
I'm reading your poems at bedtime, so great!read moreI know what you meant!!! Thank you my dear P.
I'm reading your poems at bedtime, so great!
Hugs, B

[Patricia]

Oh wow thanks!!!! I am so glad you are enjoying my book. But I think I enjoyed yours more than you will mine. What a fun read.

[Betty Hermelee]

WHAT? I love your book, and I read each poem at least twice, cause sometimes you write way over my pea brain!
Hugs

[Patricia]

Well that’s the first time I have heard that, I always thought my writing was simple and everyone else’s writing was over my head :) well you have my email so just write me about any of them you want me to explain and I will be happy to, just for you Hugs! Love P