Small is sometimes good
They like that I am so small in my size
I can scoot under machines to most slave's surprise.
They don't even have to turn the blades off
and each time my boss laughs as others scoff.
A bigger slave died and lost his limbs in there
but I'm tough and not so easy to scare.
My job gets me favors sometimes, like sweets,
and my boss lets me have leftover meats.
He calls me pup like I'm his little dog
and says don't grow fast or eat like a hog.
Some bosses bet I won't last longer now
since as I grow, space confines and how.
But don't worry about me I'll be fine
I can clean under machines anytime.
Iohagh
Janet McCall
Author notes
Darling
To be childhood enslaved
and not be saved
when all thats needed
is laws be heeded.
Please do something now
join groups that plow
turning up the heat
until slavery is beat.
Smoosh
Janet
Hey a twoforone
In a list
A contest entry
- ~Child Labor~ by dreamer wind.
375 points, ended December 4, 2006, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 35 of 35
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This was strong, and it felt so inecent... so little and unawere of real life. Beliving risking the life and getting some sweet could be living. It's really sad and well descriptive! Good job!
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Well done! A wonderfully sai write on the true horrors of it all.
One voice,
added to many
makes a shock wave,
which can stop anything!
Best to you!
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Chilling
It happened centuries ago and it still happens today.It is not just children either.Greed has taken over.this is why shops open on boxing Day and New years day.what about family time.where has it gone ????
A poem to open the eyes, Ros -
all over the world they work even now in the a.m., sleepless urchins with pained fingers pounding out production for the almighty dollar, and getting little in return except a total loss of innocence..great write here, smoosh...Artis
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Excellent
I like you, because you can write about anything. Hey Darling, put an apostrophe between the e and the s in slaves. Remember, I am an English teacher...stuff like that makes me crazy...sorry...~Gar
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MortorcycleFreak
Darling
Check my bar poems
for annual biker jamboree
and in that tome
come party with me.
Smoosh
Janet
I put the "'" between the "e" and the "s" as said. Thanks. I am autodidactic so I love such advice.
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Good Poem Bus sad
This is a sad poem that touches the heart. No child should be abused for any reason, the fight continues, I will walk whith you in your fight, smooshes John
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again, this subject truly...
...breaks the reader's heart. powerful & provoking.
god bless. -
Wow...as always, another brilliant write from you.Your words never cease to amaze me. They are so descriptive and sometimes, in pieces like this scare me. They open my eyes to the horrors of the world and make me more aware of my surroundings. Nicely done once again!
~Jill
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Great Write!!!
I love your poem, and the picture as well. Your little
small slave is the most interesting subject I have read in awhile. Keep the creativity flowing. Excellent. -
great poem..
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Amazed at the comments
Janet,
I have read many of the comments, not all by any means. I am amazed at them, some show no comprehension at all... 'nice write, good poem, etc.'
The poetry may be good, but if they can't see the pain and problem, then they need to slow down when they read.
Life is short and precious, if we can't save the children, how can we save society?
We keep on and on and on, until there is no more, child slavery.
G A
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Denial is just too common today...
Denial is slavery's friend
saying evil is pretend
as slavery destroys youth
while adults ignore proofs.
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wow...not sure what else to say...it's a sad world when children are used in this way, I look at my five year old and it freezes my heart to think..there but for the grace of God goes she...thanks for sharing
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a lovely write
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Eerily playful?
This has a very ominously childish tone if that makes any sense. The language is like that of a children's poem, which suits it well to the topic, but the tone makes it darker. It made me think of a child's mind trying to comprehend death. I think you got your message across well and with a creative approach. The only suggestions I'd have are technical and grammatical, but it's just things like missing commas and such. The only thing I'd point out specifically is that in this line "My job gets me favors like sometimes sweets" the phrasing sounds a little weird. Perhaps if you rephrased it as "My job get me favors sometimes, like sweets". Just a suggestion though, it's understandable either way.
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that would be an interesting job...to clean under the machines...lol...i feel kinda sorry for that poor little thing!!! i hope to read more poetry from you!!!
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I come from a land down under
"sweets" rather than "sweats"...and plural on the "meat"?
Knowing your concerns, there is heavy irony here, yes?
The flow as one reads occasionally bleeds one's focus: but my eyeballs are small, and the monitor tall, so I just adjust, and go on as I trust Iohagh will lead me to fun!
Smile&Enjoy,
MA.
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Thanks friend
Thanks for the advice I incorporated into the sonnet and for the applause as well.
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Grrrr growls
This is such an amazing write and one that makes you ball your fists in fury at the metaphor of enslavery. It goes on in so many places in the world. Childlike quality but the message is clear dear Iohagh, hugs.. -
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Do the Public Enemy Chant
Stop the Slavers
Stop the Slavers
Stop the Slavers that be
Stop the Powers
Stop the Powers
Stop the Powers that be.
Save the Children
Save the Children
Save the Children that be.
Holler, Act and Collar
Stop the Slavers
Collar the Powers that be.
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Another powerful write here sweet, showing just how important this fight is.
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Great Poem
Great poem, Janet. There are all types of slavery and not the least, is child slavery. Stealing innocense and carefree joy. Mine was stolen, too. Through abuse and neglect. But we lost children are still hoping for those innocent days to come....but they don't. They never do.
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sad
how sad it is that kids are treated so badly. im glad that your poems are raising awareness of this issue.
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Very well put!
Awesome point to be made! Great write! I look forward to reading more from you and all the others who support halting child slavery! Great and worthy cause! Good luck in this contest!
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Millstone
There is nothing more heart wrenching then watching a child work his life away - instead of playing, laughing. I have seen many chidlren struggle in many war torn countries and it still brings a tear to my eye. The tone and flow of the poem was very good, and I have to say the visual imagery was easily defined...well done!
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I like how you've kept the views of the small person positive even though the platform in which they live is obviously a bad one. I suppose the small person would have no choice other than to stay strong so that outlook on life was a means for survival.
Very good.
I'm off to read some more of your work
sweats = sweets -
good Good
I also entered a write in add-a-line. Check it. Also in my poems with (lohagh). I hope it echoes your cause
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fabulous but terrible. I really wish that this didn't happen. I don't know how to feel about this... and I can't believe that more of this isn't prevented.
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I know, I know
One of the great paradoxes in life is some of the best poetry is written protesting slavery. Like the poem Amazing Grace written by John Newton, an ex-slave captain become anti-slavery minister. I suppose that is how God wants it to be. We have to reach into the hearts of man and turn on the light from the darkness. Sorry for the blah, blah, blah. Smooshies. Janet
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good write
this is the shit man!!! i'm small to. 4'11 1/2", 87 lbs. and i AIN'T scared of nothing neither... so i know what you are talkin' about. you know, we're 'girls', but after we get through 'doing a mans job'. and fix their problems, and cars, and 'other stuff'. they want to treat us like girls. SMALL girls. right? i know you know what i'm talkin' about... lol keep up the good work. love GYPSYfish
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guts you like a knife
Darling, this just stunned me! I was all over cold chills and hatred for the people who would expect that from a child. You certainly wrote emotion into this and it won't leave the mind or the heart alone.
Keep fighting the good fight, and I will stand with you.
hugs Wolfie
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This is.........I'm not sure how to it in words. I only can tell you. What it gets me the most is the ending of the poem
But don't worry about me I'll be fine
I can clean under machines anytime.
This two line have so much meaning behind it. Thank you for the entry and good luck
Wish you the best
Snow
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you realize this still goes on here in the states in subsistance farmimg areas, these children are economic slaves and must do this sorta stuff if there is any dream of feeding any mouths in the their family. Dad
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