Image courtesy of http://www.google.com
Seen only through the eyes
The only part her faith allows her to show publicly
The fear is unhidden
The windows to her soul reveal them
Even when her niqab and chador cover her
From head to toes
She holds her child in fear and worry
Fear of the darkness overshadowing her nation
Worry for her son whose toddler body
Has been ravished by hunger
Fear that he might die
Worry that there might be no end
To the nationwide famine
As heart ripping toddler cries are heard everywhere
Flies perching on hungry faces
Seeking to feast and further degrade
These ones who only want what is basic
FOOD!
* Written in Canada, following a BBC News report on the famine in Yemen.*
Very poignant!!!!!!!!
The woman who was featured in the news broadcast was really scared…her eyes said it. Her fear was powerful…unspoken yet you could sense and see it. Thank you always
This is so moving. You have captured a mother’s love and fear for her child. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading and taking time to comment. It is the love and fear of a mother…so heavy so pure
This cuts right too the heart…thank you! xx
Thank you
Chilling, both the picture and the poem. It’s sad that basic human needs still are not being met, and honestly I can not express what I’m feeling right now, but your poem does. Great Job.
Thank you so much Jodie and very sad indeed
Such a sad reality for a lot of people, but you captured this beautifully.
So true…thank you so much Lily
my heart sank
if you don’t mind ,i will like to re-blog this please…
With pleasure
MY HEART sank….
i wish this was a prank really…
Reblogged this on onlymedotme4 and commented:
MY GOD JUST HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE.. ???????
Boomi, wanna talk. can i pls have ur email add? delete this and the msg comprising your mail after i get it..
Sure
. Boomiebol@yahoo.com. On my way out now but will respond ASAP.
send one.. thanks a bunch..
Nice write – but – so sad.
Food – a basic that nobody should have to worry about if they will have any or not.
I agree no one should ever…sadly many do
I couldn’t press the “like” button on this one….too tragic of a story, although beautifully written. Thank you for bring awareness to this awful situation.
Thank you so much for reading Elisa
This BBC report on the famine in Yemen has captured one of a parent’s most ponderous distresses for their children. What parent (Mother or Father) in their right mind would not feed their child, therefore, we must believe she, too, is ravished by hunger only we are not able to see what her garments neatly tuck away from our eyes. This makes us want to strip away every excess …the expensive watch, the shoes, the too many pairs of jeans. Bob Marley prophetically sang, “When the rain falls, it don’t fall on one man’s housetop.” This means blessings are provided for all. All we have to do is share – with our neighbors and with the world? Can we end world hunger, probably not? Can we save a child? Definitely!
Thank you for sharing. It breaks our hearts and energizes us to do even more.
It sure did, even though you couldn’t see her face you could tell she was scared afraid and worried…and who wouldnt be. I like the Bob Marley saying…God knows i want to do rather than just write…for now though I will do what little i can while still using these words as much as i can.
Thank you so much for reading and for this very indepth comment. Many thanks also for the retweet.
This has not left our minds so we thank you, again … http://wp.me/p2EUfc-NV
Oh, this is heartwrenching and very poignant.
The sad plight of a majority.
A part of me would like to take a seat in your mind and watch (with a glass of wine) as your thoughts bounce around (because I’m almost positive they bounce!). Thank you for expressing the fear of many parents with your words. This poem also puts some things into clear perspective. As parents, we are constantly bombarded by the plans we have for our children and families. School, clothing, vacation, fun, extracurricular activities…this woman (and many others like her) just want food. This is definitely a call to arms of sorts and a certain reminder to be grateful for what I do have. Thank you!
Ha a glass of wine in my mind will defintely be good. Thank you so much Feyi for reading and taking time to comment. Sometimes i wonder how we can make a difference when we are only trying to get it together ourselves, but the truth is we are more better off than many people. Maybe we can do something in our neck of the woods…will bounce ideas off you and a few others when we see.
Thanks always Feyi…much love.
So powerful.
Thank you so much
Its sad that as human we cant reach out to help all in the world …
It sure is…i guess one step at a time, starting with the people around us
The dilemma of culture and hunger strikingly depicted
Thank you so much. I didn’t get a chance to read the poem you told me to read yesterday, will try and do it today.
Thank you, Boomie. That photo was painful to look at. Sometimes pain can be a good thing.
Russ
It sure was…i am often very careful when sharing things like this for not wanting to put anyone off…but the truth is painful truths like this are all around us…and i can’t help but bring a little awareness to it. I wish i could do more. Thank you for reading
Such a heartbreaking reality you have managed to convey in your eloquent poetry boomie. Tears reading…. It is work like this that causes me to stand in awe of the power the ‘artist’ has to educate and build awareness about topics that many of us look away from in the midst of busy contemporary living. I applaud you for taking this on – and in such a beautiful an meaningful way ~ Love to you friend, R
Thank you so much Robyn. Yea i heard the news and couldn’t get the woman and her son out of my head…God knows i wish i could do more than just writing about it, but my prayer is that someone somewhere will read this and be able to do what i can’t or what i don’t know how to do. Love much Robyn
This is heartbreaking.
So true
Oh my. That’s an awful picture
But the poem
Gives it new meaning, and some light 
Boomie–I cannot press like here–this poem is excellent, heart-rending. That this happens today really, really makes me angry. How to we help? How do we make this stop? My God, we have too much in this country, and they starve…
I completely understand Susan…yea anger is one response that can be associated with issues like this. Even in this country many starve too and especially children and my heart cannot comprehend it…i guess like a reader said, we start with the people around us. I am hoping this thanksgiving i can do something outside of just cooking for my own Lord willing
It is hard to imagine this sort of “life”-if makes me feel very humble…good work,,, Boomie
Yes the lives of many in less than fortunate situations can be very humbling. Thank you so much
omgosh, you nailed it…and it’s so poignant, I needed to reread it and still I’m in awe, Boomie!
Thank you so much Roxie
.
Of course it’s what you do with your words that I like. The photo it scary and heart wrenching.
Yea it really is a scary photo… Thank you Resa
Sad, but the reality of our times….. well articulated…. i’ve had this poem on my mind all day, having read it three times, bearing in mind children around the world die in need of Food……
Thank you Abi, like you said the reality of our times…i wonder how and when it will get better. i guess we will continue to do what we can on our parts and hope to God it gets better sooner rather than later or never. Thanks Much
It kills me when i see a kid dying of hunger and so much food wasted and thrown away in ther parts of world…in my country it self i have seen drought and famine like situations in one state and food rotting in storages in another one…ridiculous this uneven distribution and we can do so much and yet we dont..
how i wish there was a better and faster of sharing food …
brilliant poem Boomie…
Thank you Soma. I often think the most frustrating is situations in countries where the rich are getting richer because they are fortunate enough to be in government places and the ones who elected them are living in total penury. I try not to think about it but it is the sad reality of our times. I agree with you in finding a better way to share foods. Thank you always Soma
Reblogged this on shafiqah1 and commented:
Oh My God!! A picture is worth a 1,000 words, Boomie! Look at this disintegrating baby, we have to do something, find charities, fight war mongers with our votes, something must be done to SAVE THE CHILDREN!
Thank you much
any heart will cry with her. what a torment for a mother.
So true, any heart will
Heartbreaking
Absolutely
Such powerful and poignant poetry. And what imagery! As one reads , it hits you in the solar plexus.
Thank you
Shakti
Thank you so much for reading
Truly chilling but worthy of attention. Thank you.
Indeed. Thank you
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I am deeply humbled that this post touched you. I can honestly say with humility that it did it’s job…somedays i wonder if i am taking the easy route writing about these things while doing little to nothing…still i tell myself, even if I don’t as long as it gets to someone who will be so moved to action. I think you have just done that…A big THANK YOU!
The Bob Marley quote actually comes from the Bible.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborh and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemiesi and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48
ALL of us, every single one, from the mother in the picture to myself, are quilty of allowing this to happen and go on.
Thank you so much for this comment.
You’re welcome.