The Devoured, The Forsaken

I was inspired by this picture of child in The Congo, on the side of the road, alone, trying to eat the dry flour that had spilled onto a dirt road. I was compelled to write this.

oh baby boy sits amongst the hungry dogs

…on a mound of dirt and piled refuse alone

…abandoned your parents good and dead

…cries weak baby tears unheard unanswered

 

oh little one emaciated begrimed your body

…distended and unnatural your silhouette

…rigid limbs of withered skin on bone

…sunken eyes see only your confusion

 

oh child of this hell you dig at the ground for food

…your fingers bleed from the dried dirt under nails

…small innocent know you those who pass by

…looking ahead they drag each other away

 

oh lonely baby you bury your hands into the dirt

          …to scoop up the remains of spilled dry flour

…you shovel the flour and dirt greedily

…the sandy mixture into your starving mouth

 

oh sweet boy diseased and starving unnoticed

…rest your head in that dirt for your last breath

…they toss you on heaps with others

…erasing your time on this wretched earth

 

oh innocent the fire burns his body to flying ash  

…landing on the arm of another starving child

…this world has forsaken and devoured you

…would you never born to taste dirt and flour

Author's Note

Awards:

- Pain Writing Contest 1st Place

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Barbara,

Your words of compassion are those which pierce my heart - especially because I am too keenly aware of how often this happens and how we - mankind - seem to be unable to make it go away! Humanity has tried to rally to help little ones as this, but whatever the effort, it never seems enough to end it!

I question who is to blame, why does it happen, am I to feel guilty because I have enough food to eat, water to drink, clothing and housing when a little one as this can find not a morsel to sustain life? And, then we have the ongoing argument of whether we should help those at "home" before we go beyond our borders. My God, if one is in need, why should we decide how far to extend a hand of hope? We may be their only hope!

I disagree with the reviewer who questions your words of desire to lift him from the page as I feel it actually accentuates your deep desire to help this child! " My God, if I could but reach through the paper and bring you to safety, I would!" Your words are very touching!

I admire you for caring so very much! May we never, never forget these little ones, and do what we may to alleviate their pain and suffering!

As you say in your last line, "Lord God, I plead make it is so." May our God move us to respond to cries for help!

With a heart of love for those in need!
Sheila

[open ended]

i wanted to stop reading, but couldn't. your words are magnetic. the repetition was hypnotic. my chest was collapsing, filled with tension as i read your poem. it is deeply affecting.

This is a deeply affecting poem. It brought me to tears. I think it could do without the line about lifting his image from the page, because it takes away from the heart-wrenching tone of the poem, making it seem less real. Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.

[devon]

How sad and heart breaking. Truly touching and making you think.

I actually thought the repetition served the purpose of this poem very nicely!