Irreplaceable Angels....

My thoughts on the lost orphaned children of South Africa, where every 14 minutes a child loses his last parent or adult carer to Aids.Why is this atrocity allowed to continue seemingly unabated? We are losing too many of God's sweet gifts....

Hungry and alone, he wonders lost, down a dirt road

Barefeet and tattered shirt, his belly rumbles with hunger

A thousand questions in his mind, yet he is numb, tears spent.

Lonely and afraid, his eyes search the horizon

Hoping for something unknown, nameless.

 

His dispair is palpable, in his eyes hopelessness

A child of five, his brown skin cold, yet fevered

His liquid brown eyes, reflecting an aged soul

Too much pain and suffering in this little body

 

His parents, his brothers, his family lost to a wasting disease

He flees for his life and his sanity. Where to? He knows not.

Life's light flickers faintly in his eyes

Death hovers near, to bear him away.

 

He stumbles in his delirium and falls to his knees

Moaning in pain and heartbreaking loneliness

Death's gentle hands, takes his pain racked body

Embracing it with care. Taking him far from there.

 

Another nameless face, lost to us.

Another Bright Spark, taken too soon.

Another future snuffed before it begins

Did you notice? Did you care? Do you turn away in discomfort,

in your warm, loving home? Did I?

 

Cry in grief for the millions lost each year,

Irreplaceable Angels, Each hour desperation.

Cry for the pain they suffer, but more

For the pain of feeling unwanted & unloved.

The World's greatest crime.

 

A Soul departs, the body remains to be counted.

Author's Note

This was never going to have a happy ending, because the truth is far from happy. Your thought's are welcome.

Reviews

[Bear]

Read this again, just now... and the thought that you should send it to Oprah Winfrey and let her know she's not the only one who thinks of and cares about the unfortunate children around the world. I was watching her show yesterday and one of her guests has been raising money, building schools and churches in 3rd World Locations for a few years now... he used to work for Microsoft and decided he would take his own money and do for others and has made himself happier and has changed his world and help make the world of others better for taking part. You're right about "no happy ending" but, once in a while, smiles are created against all odds.
Sallie Bear

[Albert Freeman]

I have to agree with everyone else. This is a masterpiece written by you at your best, love. It's heartfelt and sad lifting the veil for all to see the tragedy that is taking place not only in South Africa but other parts of Africa as well.

[Rambling Prose]

This is a poignant heartfelt write. The imagery is "A beautiful tragedy" - quite the paradox...

Nicely penned...

[Bear]

Truth, it is often far from happy but, in your writing of this young one's story perhaps, it's truth will help in the on-going conflict... it at least reminds all of us, that read your words, of the atrocities taking place all around the world; hopefully in the reminding and awareness; changes will take place.

Hope ~~ it continues in spite of the walls we humans have built and, must find a way to knock down so, the light can shine ever more brightly upon us all.

Happy endings... perhaps your poem is one way of "remembering" the little ones lost before they began?
Bear

[Michael X]

melanie, this is absolutely soulfully heartfelt and I loved this poem because it expresses your
thoughts on many levels as well as the enire depthfully charged perspective written as only a
wordsmith can your words are soul touching in this regards, speaks realistically and in a way
most people can relaye to causing emotions to emphasize, you real heart and soul into every
well placed word, I can say your talent shines throughwith this writing, the poor chld, such
a sad scenerio, but its people like you who bring hope to those lost souls who are hopeless
and in need, thanks for sharing such awaraness, the stanzas as well as line breaks conform perfectly