Strawberry Shampoo Anyone?

(off the cuff writing)

At times you read a quote

that can break your heart in two.

Did you know that there is

more fruit in a rich man's shampoo,

than on a poor man's plate?

And when accompanied by an image

of a child half starved to death

bones protruding, belly swollen

it can not fail to carve

that message firmly into your brain,

that the inequality many have to face

is nothing short of an avalanche of pain.

So many of us give what we can

to ease the burden of our fellow man,

but how can we be sure that our aid

reaches the right door?

That it goes to those genuinely in need

and not to those who are more intent

on building their bank accounts sky high

while standing by and smiling

with huge smiles at their own content.

It's a dreadful dilemma, it is for certain

we live in a world so corrupt with greed

so uncaring and thoughtless of others

we can't even feed our own.

While some are wealthy beyond their wildest dreams

others prematurely await the final curtain.

Reviews

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

Very honest and true
spoken words of the world.

Maybe if there was
more heart and compassion
And understanding and
knowledge they would
care.

The greedy are the
fools always taking
what they want not
giving.


Thank You for sharing
such a wonderful piece

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Benita, thank you for reading these words of mine and leaving such a lovely response. Truly appreciated.

Chris

[augustus]

I couldn't agree more Benita. Well written!

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

You're very welcome chris it's
a wonderful piece I'm speaking my
heart and I enjoyed reading it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Augustus and Benita for your kindness

[Mary]

the spoken word style in which you have written this poem gives the message strength, gives it power. I hope you are reading this at events! Excellent!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Mary. Haven't done any open mic for quite a long time now. I do appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Sad truth here. “There is more fruit in a rich man’s shampoo, than on a poor man’s plate”- your skillfull and poetic words define this inequity of inequities dear Chris. Your imagery is graphic and raises the living specters of children “half starved to death..bones protruding, belly swollen” before our eyes. You ask the burning societal questions and denounce the corruption that exists globally. “ We can’t even feed our own.”- it is the voice of poets like you that moves us by compassionately demanding justice for the poor and the suffering in our own countries as well as the world. Important write. Kudos my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Annette, thank you so much for your thoughts and your lovely review. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Loved this one Chris! Xo

[Chris Shaw]

So kind of you to say so Annette. Give Pebbles a hug from me please :))

[Lea Sheryn]

Sadly, this is too true. Your words are very heartfelt.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lea, much appreciated.

[Lea Sheryn]

You're very welcome, Chris. It's always a pleasure.

[Relic]

This has not gone past my attention. I recall hearing that a portion of the money donated to Katrina survivors (American hurricane) disappeared. Life blesses some and curses others. Just as some animals in nature are prey to predators. Life is not always fair and that's what's frustrating.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Tim.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

how did i miss this superb write the first time?

not only a statement on the imbalance of riches vs poverty....but the mal-nourished and all the commercials about giving so they can have food...why don't the people on the commercials feed them?
They are right there....and i also heard that the Red Cross sometimes uses only a small part of donations to go where they actually need to go...how can people do that?
Lots of sadness and angst in this write, which belongs there for so many reasons.
powerful, Chris.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Straight from the muse's mouth Jacob. A moment of kindness. Thank you :)

[HadesRising]

Very well written piece. Well Done Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Hades

[gram linski]

Great poem depicting the rot of the 21st century, how can you have billionaires and starving countries, side by side,

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks gram

[Pete]

the opening hits hard. so sad. very poignant and telling. as a friend of mine is fond of saying, "No one said life was fair."

“We are all brothers under the skin - and I, for one, would be willing to skin humanity to prove it.” - Ayn Rand

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Pete.

[barleygirl]

Whoa! This girl is on fire! I can't ever remember reading you so fired up! I could not agree with you more, about the income inequality & corruption creating doubt as to how people can be helped. I have found that helping right here at home with struggling people we know firsthand is one sure way of knowing how our contributions get to the right place! I love how you bring in many supporting observations to show a multi-layered view of this situation (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Margie. Sometimes you read something which winds you up like a corkscrew :)

read moreMany thanks Margie. Sometimes you read something which winds you up like a corkscrew :)

Chris