innocent blood seeping into it's roots.
We have come far you say?
I wonder if that's really true.
Men, women, and children in despair.
They are violated, abused, beaten, raped.
Blood is flowing, blood is spilling,
there's no solace, there's no refuge.
Echos of injustice in this land,
the spirits of lives lost whisper.
They sigh with a rage unheard,
can you hear their voices rising.
Atrocities that exist today and now,
we have come far you say?
I wonder is that really true?
Ayala, These people are blessed to have you as a voice. Beautiful and haunting. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am passionate about the Congo and disgusted that it's not in our media more. I'm thankful that more and more we are hearing about the atrocities there. Have we really come that far? I would say no. We are ruining our earth, and terrible wars, such as the one in Congo are being fought. It's devastating. Check out Lisa Shannon and the incredible voice she has been (founder of Run for Congo Women). xxo
ReplyDeleteI haven't followed this situation but thank you for bringing it to my attention and for always caring about others. I wonder how you keep such a positive attitude while also addressing such deep problems. Well done.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully voiced! From the heart and gut...I'm glad I found you! Many blessings!
ReplyDeletea rahter haunting verse...yes atrocities happen every day...and as we unveil them for the world to see we inspire change...stay after it...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristi. We need an army of voices and change.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tessa. I will look into it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Molly. I do spiral into depression but I try to lift myself and rise above it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cynthia. I am glad you found me too.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Brian, atrocities do happen every day somewhere and that's a sad ugly truth.
ReplyDeletethis is gut-wrenching and I'm afraid I don't have the heart for gut wrenching today. It is more powerful than me today ♥
ReplyDeleteThis is very potent. Your voice cries out clear and loud. Good work! I hope it makes it to many ears who will make a difference.
ReplyDeleteLove that you wrote about this. Have you seen the play Ruined by Lynn Nottage? It's a must-see. Hearing stories about the DRC is quite a different thing from seeing them depicted o nstage. Very powerful. Also if you haven't read yet, I recommend Adam Hochschild's book King Leopold's Ghost.
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ReplyDeleteBrook, hang in there xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caroline. Awareness is so vital.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Belinda. I have not seen the play but I have heard of it. I can imagine how powerful it must be. Thanks for recommending the book, it's going on my list.
ReplyDeleteFar from one atrocity only to be near another.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
Thank you, Sara.
ReplyDeleteHow could we all not wonder.
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting such wonderings into words.
Thank you, Melissa. It's an important issue that needs as many people talking about it as possible.
ReplyDeleteAnd sadly, we could substitute any number of places for "Congo" in this gorgeous poem. I hope, one day, that's no longer true.
ReplyDeleteSad and true, Stacia.
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaking, but true. Thinking of Japan today, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's tough to even watch the news anymore. The will to act is so weak, and people cry foul whenever a strong country tries to act as "world police" and fix a broken situation.
ReplyDeleteYes, heartbreaking. Japan is my thoughts today as well.
ReplyDeleteBen, I hear you. It's a complicated situation. According to the United Nations, the crisis in Eastern Congo displaced 1.7 million Congolese people and over 1000 rapes are committed each month.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Ayala. I wonder why we do turn away from what is going on in the Congo? Is it just too difficult to face? Do we really not care? Sometimes it seems that way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mel. Some difficult questions without any answers in sight :(
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