Cages

In our silence we give consent to the cruelty put upon others. No nation whose foundation is based on diversity and acceptance should ever be apathetic and indifferent to the child seeking home.

Cages

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

"Not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by 

offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human

memory. And in denying their humanity we betray our own."

-American Jewish writer and holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel 

I am haunted by pleading eyes of a child

They cast upon me behind cold steelbars

Seeking comfort and recognition of humanity 

Disillusioned, frail, and devoid of childlike wonder. 

In their eyes I am taken back to Sunday mass

Years past where voice speaks in shroud of white

"Care for the stranger as you would your brother 

For loving the least, you will have loved the greater."

I am haunted by saddened eyes within cages

Small little hands pressed against callous metal

Voices too soft and strained from tears to be heard.

Silent cries yearning for humane embrace.

"When you needed shelter I gave you a home.

And when you were sad I comforted you.

when you were abandoned I took you into my arms."

I am haunted by the faces of children in cages 

the same eyes as a child behind barbed wire at Auschwitz 

The same eyes as a native child on the trail of tears

The same eyes as a child in a Japanese internment camp

The same eyes as a child born into slavery

"Trust not the laws of man for only God knows truth

You shall be judged by the wickedness of your heart

For I am in the leper, in the beggar, in the stranger

And In the child."

I am haunted 

I am haunted 

I am haunted

I am.

Author's Note

Feel free to leave your thoughts and many thanks for taking the time to read this work. I truly appreciate it.

Reviews

[A]

This poem really hit me hard. It really made me think about how people often ignore the children who were born and lived through such horrors. It makes us remember that children weren't exempt from the cruelty of wars and inhumane actions committed by adults, and still aren't today. Loved reading it :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Amal, for your thoughts on this poem. That is exactly what these words hope to convey. That we as a species can't even treat the children of the world with the kindness and love they so richly deserve. What does that say about us as living beings? We still have a long way to go to evolve and reach ur better humanity. Thank you again for your kind thoughts.

[LostSage]

this stuff is really really deep.....it makes me think too much....I can be called guilty of not caring enough for others....cause I have so much trouble caring for myself....nothing but trouble.....but I would think that common decency should be the rule....have a great day Carlos....stars and smiles atcha✨🙂

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I totally agree Jeff it is a pretty deep write and has quite a bit going on. Though at its heart it does plead to those of certain values to remember the tenants that define their beliefs. Because to fail in compassion for the least of us they fail to love the greater. Thank you my friend for your comment on this piece.

[EmeraldHeart]

This poem has such powerful messages. One that history repeats its self. The innocent and vulnerable continue to be abused. I picture the immigrant children in cages placed there by respectable?So called christ followers. Love the Bible refences because how can you argue against the truth. Christ said the second commandent was to love one another like he loved us.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Emeraldheart for commenting on this poem. You are correct this is meant to ask those of faith what values are sacred to them if they turn a blind eye to their own teachings. For the greatest virtue is to love one another as we would love the greater, yet we fail to love the children as our own and in essence turn away from that fundamental belief to recognize God in them. The end of the poem defines that clarity with the statement of "I Am" which is a not so subtle reference to God declaring this truth. Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts on this important piece. A very keen observation and spot on as well.

[Vertigo Cat1111]

What a haunting, breathtaking, real piece. It's heart-wrenching, a punch to the gut, but honest. Because it's such a real thing that's happening and the way you put your words together to demonstrate this, is chilling. There's so much wisdom and thoughtfulness in this piece. The time when kids could play outside, hell, it's hard for even woman to be out alone and I'm certain men, too. The last line, 'I am,' really settles the poem, gives you one last kick to the heart and leaves you with the revelation that, yes, these things are happening and real, and just because many other people may be safe in their homes, plenty people aren't- and plenty of those people are children. Thank you so much for sharing such a thought-provoking peace.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Colacat for your thoughts on this poem. It was a difficult write but its message I so value because if we can't love the world's children of our own then we truly are lost as a species.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

beautiful thought provoking haunting poem
thanks for writing this for the plight of our innocent children in war and in our silent war on vacinnation on kids. (and adults)

[Jasmin]

I miss the world when children can freely play outside. The poem resonates what is currently happening in the world today. Wonderful poem.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Jasmin for your thoughts on this poem. I truly appreciate it.

[Bibik DU]

This is a haunting piece. I have read about the Holocaust but this poem transports me to the actual place and your choice of children as the main subject in this poem pierces my conscience and awareness.
To be honest, it unsettles me. And that is good! Thank you for a soul-shattering piece.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for leaving your thoughts on this piece. I feel every artist should strive to touch the readers heart in their work. Because that is the purpose of art to get a visceral or human reaction in some way. Whether it unsettled them, angered, or moved to empathy art should leave an impression. Even I have to admit this poem is a bit troubling to read because of the theme it presents. But its uncompromising message asks an important thing of us. To find our better humanity within so that we treat others with love and dignity that all are deserving. Thank you so much for your comment I truly appreciate it.

[Eilis]

Hi, Carlos. I read this poem the other afternoon and have allowed myself some space to think before speaking about it. I too am haunted by the understanding and as your quote expresses--the ways we can be collectively blind to the sufferings of others. I appreciated, most, the way you alluded to the scriptures because I feel so much of the connection to the edicts of Christ have been lost in modern religion. I hesitate to point to some better time in the past because I don't think it realistically exists--humans have always misused religious teachings, misinterpreted them or selectively followed them. But we can hope that someday the full force of Christ's words will strike our hearts and we will see them clearly. One doesn't have to be a believer to love others as the self. And indeed it is shown time and again that being a believer in anything does not mean you understand the teachings. Thank you for this sensitive plea and reminder that we have a responsibility to others. In these times where the onslaught of trouble seems never-ending, it is still so important to remember we are fortunate in many ways we take for granted. Like the freedom of movement and self-determination--which many have had taken from them. This is powerful poetry.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Ellis for such an insightful response which means a lot to me. I am agnostic and not part of any organized religion. Though I respect those that fel a need to faith in order to find their better selves unfortunately their are sects that don't truly follow their vows. This poem was for them as a reminder to uphold the teachings of their faith and seek their better humanity through empathy and love. Instead of hate and vitriolic rhetoric. This was a plea to their better angels from some who was Christian, Catholic, Jehovah Witness, and LDS at one time or another because of my mother. I have heard manu sermons but few who truly take the words to heart. Thank you again.