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

[Carola]

hello carlos,
wow, very strong & emotive words.
yes children (also women) seem to be the forgotten small humans in a world of (international) political demands, influence & chaos.
cheerio carola

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Carola for taking the time to read and comment on this poem. I agree wholeheartedly both children and women suffering. And for what purpose does it serve? To dehumanize and strip them of their dignity. To treat them as animals rather than human beings. This is the world we are part of and speaks ill of our own humanity. Art should demand of us to be better by reflecting and revealing our worst. That is the true power of Art in its many forms. These are difficult conversations to have but we must. For what is gained by ignoring or sweeping these issue under a cloak of false security and belief. I believe we are better than this and must be. Thank you so much again for your comment I truly appreciate it.

[Lorry]

As you so eloquently stated, it conjures images of nazi testing camps where children, especially twins, were tested to their limits in life until their inevitable and cruel lives were cut so short like so many, but also the Romanian orphanages scandal of the late 80's and early 90's where children were left in cribs with no human contact at all until mental illness left them unable to function at even the most basic level.
Some survived and were eventually placed in loving homes throughout the world, but they were the minority, with those beyond four years of age having suffered irreparable damage.
These are only some of the ones we know about and sadly, most likely goes on to this day, as we make do with everything and they make do with being in a living hell.
These things should be spoken about and never forgotten, so kudos for that Carlos.
There are many documentaries about the Romanian orphanages scandal that make for very grim viewing, but should be used to educate us all that this should never happen again.
I think it's covered in an episode of the brain, with David Eagleman if interested.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Lorry for your thoughts on this poem. History is filled with events of the inhumanity toward the most innocent of us all, children. This work only touches on a very few but its spirit encompasses all. We should never forget these injustices as well as the current ones we continue in. Our better humanity demands this of us. Thank you and I will definitely look for the documentary on the Romanian children. Their suffering should never be forgotten and demands justice as well.

[barleygirl]

I've been waiting a long time for some talented poet to remember those children in cages along our southern border. It's a topic only dusted off to make someone look bad politically, otherwise, the travesty goes on & on without anyone paying any attention to it. You truly pounced on this one with a quiet simmering strength that speaks so much louder than any rant or blaming could do (((HUGS)))

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

The words were there but truth be told they needed your push to have a life, Margie. So thank you for inspiring my actions and voice to this problem that is not political but a humane issue. We were all once children and I wish that we could all love and hope like we once did with innocent and accepting eyes. Thank you, truly for the encouragement.

[R.J Calzonetti (Siniste..]

I really enjoyed this poem, thank you for sharing!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, R.J as a fan of your work I truly appreciate this wonderful comment my friend.

[R.J Calzonetti (SinisterPotatoe)]

Thank you for sharing your poetry. I am a big fan of your work as well, please keep writing!