They came in waves from savaged lands
parents and children gripping hands
the elderly, the halt, the lame
fleeing from a nation's shame
through empty fields and unwelcome woods
clutching all their earthly goods
For some a lifetime lived in war
for others praying nevermore
homes gone, destroyed in rage
by those relentless in terror they wage
lives spent without a thought
through devastation they have wrought
Now like animals they run to find
that sanctuary left behind
the need is met with razor wire
and not the help that they desire
so against the fences thousands mass
trampled hopes on trampled grass
Like cattle milling unrestrained
anger boils and cries are pained
where to go, they can't go back
trapped in horror's cul-de-sac
cold faces from behind the fence
implementing homeland defense
No mercy.
Tens of thousands died at Powder Creek, Sand Creek,
Little Wolf and Wounded Knee.
Thousands more on the Trail of Tears.
Millions of African slaves to Europe, America,
The Caribbean and elsewhere on their own continent.
The Irish Famine drove hundreds of thousands
from their hovels. No skills, education and too poor to leave.
More died of cholera than hunger.
The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River,
probably an area with the densest population in the world,
forced hundreds of towns and villages to be evacuated
and displaced millions of people to accommodate
the reservoir. Compensation was minimal
and in some cases none.
Shameful snapshots of our history, just a few of hundreds in the frame
inured to rejecting any plea and disdaining any thought of blame.
We must find a way for this to cease and build anew on a principle of peace.
YOU ARE READING
Poems Primarily Narrative (or not)
PoetryFIRST PLACE COFFEE AFTER DARK WRITING CONTEST - JULY 2020 This collection has no particular category or message. They are errant thoughts and observations on various subjects. If interested, I hope you find some you enjoy.