Yellow River

Yellow River

 

From its source to the sea and along its entire length

Including every tributary

 

The mighty Yangtze would if there was any justice

In this cruel world shed at least a single tear

 

One for each of those predominantly

Female breaths it stole in recent centuries

 

And all for the sake of some obscure law

Some archaic form of population birth control

 

However even the mighty Yangtze contains

Insufficient water to wash away the guilt entirely

 

For taking each and every one of those

Legitimate or b*****d daughters

 

Go check out the bloated and decaying bodies

Those that form a log jam like over ripe bananas

 

In the most remote of eddies and the gullies

Of the so called mighty Yangtze

 

One can only imagine how many wives, mistresses

Lovers, scientists, engineers, orphans, artists, entertainers

 

Philosophers, teachers, farmers, doctors, prostitutes

Beggars and martyrs even

 

Who might have perished in those putrid flowing waters

And compelling undercurrents of the mighty Yangtze

 

Some it seemed escaped though and made their way

By some means or another to places of safety

 

Where now they live as only partial victims of a much despised

And decomposing culture

 

A changing culture now experiencing recurrent guilt

And frequent separation anxiety of its very own making…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

Interesting use of political and yet poetical metaphor Nev. This is happening now of course but we tend to ignore what we cannot see and anyway who would provide us with all our precious goods?
The supposedly controlled breeding that is obviously not. The slave labour. I read today about the Uirghirs producing Silicon panels. The pollution. The destruction of all that is good and human. for what?

[Neville]

........................ Precisely .. for what?
Thank you Ken ................................

... Neville

[Chris Shaw]

So impactful still are these words, two years down the line. Has anything changed? Well you don't hear so much of it these days in China, but I'm sure it continues. Of course, just look round the rest of the world where it is reported more. Not just unwanted girl babies, but women in general. Breeding machines, keeping house, knowing their place and keeping a low profile. Hard hitting as always. Good mane my friend. Your description here is top notch as is the tone of your lines. A reminder to me not to return to China.

Chris

[Neville]

............. maybe on the surface .. but those strong, oft unseen and destructively powerful undercurrents are just as prevalent as they have always been .......... thanks for the round trip Chris .. much appreciated as always ...

Neville

[barleygirl]

WHOA! I've never heard you make a point so dramatically! This is an earth-shaking way to make this point. You paint scenes we'll never forget, assaulting all the senses. WHOA! I can't say more becuz you've said it all (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

Thanks Margie, a welcome and much appreciated visit... NUGs in abundance :) fondly of course..

[C Peril]

Thank you so much for the - as always - thought provoking, well crafted poem. Hope you are well Neville. Always relish in the opportunity to browse over your writing when I have the time.

Best regards,

C. Peril

[Neville]

and likewise, I am always grateful when you do.. many thanks C. Peril

Neville

[lightsong]

He can wash everything inside, and can take everything away too, He can be a savior, as a murderer too, the Mighty River will always be might, still that small soft part inside Him, will always be too, He speaks of an ancient culture, stories untold, unheard... He wraps everyone, and flows with everyone's essence no matter what are the differences between them.

a mighty and intense piece my friend.

[Neville]

Thank you for stopping to consider these words dear Light.. much appreciated... Neville

[lightsong]

You are most welcome dear Neville.

[Neville]

.........:))

[Chris Shaw]

Daughters of the world, so unwanted in some parts. China, just being one of them. I am wondering whether anything has changed now they aren't restricted by the one child per couple rule. Powerful writing Neville, some pretty vivid imagery here. We even have the odd isolated incident in the UK. Read about one recently. Makes my blood boil. Looking for a world where all life will be appreciated, I wonder if that will ever happen?

Chris

[Neville]

I doubt it, thank you.. Neville

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A very dark, emotive and vitriolic piece about a practice of barbarism. Nice emotion and good description.

[Neville]

Thank you John. N