Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Friday, March 11, 2011

I Wonder -The Congo

The earth weeps silent raging tears,
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?

29 comments:

  1. Ayala, These people are blessed to have you as a voice. Beautiful and haunting. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I 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

    ReplyDelete
  3. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautifully voiced! From the heart and gut...I'm glad I found you! Many blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  5. a rahter haunting verse...yes atrocities happen every day...and as we unveil them for the world to see we inspire change...stay after it...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you, Kristi. We need an army of voices and change.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you, Tessa. I will look into it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you, Molly. I do spiral into depression but I try to lift myself and rise above it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you, Cynthia. I am glad you found me too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are right Brian, atrocities do happen every day somewhere and that's a sad ugly truth.

    ReplyDelete
  11. this is gut-wrenching and I'm afraid I don't have the heart for gut wrenching today. It is more powerful than me today ♥

    ReplyDelete
  12. This 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.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love 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.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you, Caroline. Awareness is so vital.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank 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.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Far from one atrocity only to be near another.
    Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How could we all not wonder.
    Thank you for putting such wonderings into words.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you, Melissa. It's an important issue that needs as many people talking about it as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  20. And sadly, we could substitute any number of places for "Congo" in this gorgeous poem. I hope, one day, that's no longer true.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Heartbreaking, but true. Thinking of Japan today, too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. It'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.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yes, heartbreaking. Japan is my thoughts today as well.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ben, 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.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Well 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.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks, Mel. Some difficult questions without any answers in sight :(

    ReplyDelete