At the gates

pang in my heart

I saw them from my window, as they drew closer to the gates
A mass of people moving together as a river or a snake
The way you choose to see them really depends on you
I chose to watch the sea of people from a human point of view

Fathers with their daughters and mothers with their sons
Marching towards the gates that are guarded by men with guns
The elderly among them have all fallen to the back
And all the while the men with arms stand ready to attack

What makes a man leave his country to take up such a task
To risk the lives of young and old, had no one thought ask
My parents had forever told me I must help out those in need
To respect even the very simplest of rules, of humanity

By morning they’ll be at the gates while I am safe at home
I felt a pang inside my heart for what would come by morn
I love the country that I live in but I feel that it is wrong
It matters not where you come from because Earth belongs to all

When finally the morning came I could see war had begun
People hoping for a better life were greeted by our guns
Children and parents were separated, families torn apart
And I could feel that little pang grow much bigger in my heart

I could not stand to watch any longer so I ran out to the gates
Bringing with me what I could to help before it was too late
Water, food and medicine and all such manner of supplies
Even gathering up an army of people in hopes of compromise

The men with guns had let me through to help out those in need
They would not let anyone inside the gates but I was free to leave
I pleaded with the men with guns, open up your eyes and see
That the people on the other side are no different from you and me

Every act of courage seen here has started as an act of love
Protecting lives of family and children so that they may rise above
"Blood you spill here on the street is red as yours and mine
I know you’d do the same for yours, for surely love is no crime"

I could see the men with arms now thinking upon my words
Lowering the guns they held and considering what they’d heard
That pang that grew inside my heart had moved to each of theirs
Hope for peace will never die as long as the world still cares.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i love this piece and what it represents....used to teach a short story by Nadine Gordimer called Once upon a time...and it was about people who built such a defensive fortress around them to keep others out that they ended up imprisoning themselves....
We often do that..separate from others...feel above them...they are people, too...and need comfort and love as we do...I am from the sixties...peace and love...and i still feel the same ideal...but see it less and less now...
j.

[Edie Blue Starfish]

Thank you Jacob. I would have loved to experience the sixties. I see a lot of "Every man for himself" now
Thanks for the comment!

[barleygirl]

This is one of the best political statements I've read this year! It's hard not to read "southern border of USA" into your message, but you've kept things open-ended, so your words could apply to so many different ways that humans are blocked & sorted & rejected at some gate or wall. Even tho I agree with everything you say, many times people have a head of steam behind their words, so they come out sounding harsh & judgmental . . . but not in your message. The beauty of how you express yourself is that you stay in a humanistic place where everyone is respected & understood, even those standing guard with guns. You don't dehumanize anyone & being inclusive is at the heart of everything that needs to be done (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Edie Blue Starfish]

thank you for the great comment, Margie

[Robert Trakofler]

The practice of dehumanizing is on page two of the Nazi handbook of world domination. Followed by the general eradication of critical thought and then the indoctrination of beliefs to enforce compliance. We are living in horrible times of separatist and greed wining out on humanity and life poisoning ourselves and our world. Ignoring our better selves and casting the ones in need our mandate of humanity replaced by fences and walls of the mind heart and matter. lovely lines and sentiment in here Edie and I could not agree with them more I thing we both share the same pangs:(

[Edie Blue Starfish]

Thank you very Robert. I appreciate the kind comment!

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

This is really a wonderful piece,
So phenomenal that it touches me.
Your rhythm, rhyme and words are not just so essential,
It also makes me feel like reading it a million times.

[Edie Blue Starfish]

That's very nice of you, Kay. thank you!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Although I did get a little lost in the rhyming scheme and form the volume of this poem and its humanity shone through in descriptive stanzas as the stand off is portrayed. I saw the refugees from Nicaragua and mexico pleading for a better more understanding destiny, although I think the answer is not diaspora but making their homelands safer, more humanity focussed havens.

[Edie Blue Starfish]

thank you John, I appreciate the comment very much

[Karmee]

This is quite a write, but so well written and expressed. I like this feelings through out. So nicely written

[Edie Blue Starfish]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that.

[Chris Shaw]

Beautifully written Edie, with such a strong message of compassion and love. Reaching out to help others in difficulty, a lesson my parents taught to me too. We have to put ourselves in the shoes of others to truly understand.

Chris

[Edie Blue Starfish]

Thank you so much Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome :)

[Neville]

there are several very important messages interwoven throughout this great poem & equally important sentiments too... these words were simply crying out to be writ my friend...

Neville

[Edie Blue Starfish]

Really appreciate that, Neville. Thank you.

[Neville]

no prob....

[Ted Kniffen]

Well written piece, Edie. There seems to be too much division today...no one is willing to work together...we're too busy demonizing the "other side" to see the greater picture. That fabled era of Peace and Love came with riots...civil unrest...Vietnam...political turmoil...the threat of nuclear annihilation...revolutionaries like Fidel and Che though much admired became despots and dictators. The young folk who started out with great intentions were arrested and thrown in jail.
So really, little has changed.
You've written a good piece.

[Edie Blue Starfish]

Thank you Ted, and you're right. It comes with a cost and is sometimes short lived.

[emmajoy]

' The men with guns had let me through to help out those in need - They would not let anyone inside the gates but I was free to leave - I pleaded with the men with guns, open up your eyes and see -
That the people on the other side are no different from you and me '

This might come under the title of 'poem' but to me is an epic piece of writing that should be published for all the word to read, feel and - remember! There's not a word out of place, not a thought that should be ignored. Will stop there and leave 100 for both your writing skill and heart-filled humanity.

[Edie Blue Starfish]

I very much appreciate that emmajoy!
I'm glad the message came through.

[emmajoy]

I meant every word.