Next of Kin Siblings by agazeley at All poetry

Submerged beneath progress

So many children are dying . .

Their life has no meaning

Yet they’re desperately trying

Children without homes

Sorting through trash

Hoping to find rubbish

To recycle to cash

Living in squalor . . .

Scavenging for existence

The world makes promises

But gives little assistance

From the gutters of Calcutta

To the jungles of Sudan

Human beings are dieing

Please help if you can . .

Children are minding babies

Left orphaned and forlorn . .

They cry silent tears . .

Questioning why they were born

AIDS is spreading unchecked

With sparse assistance in sight

People sidestep the problem

Surely that can’t be right

Sadly children work long hours

Replacing parents that are dead

Taking adult responsibilities

That rich governments have shed

Cheap labor in the diamond mines

Others harvesting coffee and drugs

Assisting mercenary armies

And financing unruly thugs

These poor wretched children . .

Are trying desperately to be brave

But in this capitalist world

They’re just modern day slaves

Albert Gazeley © June 2007

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Ellis
December 4, 2007

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EXCELLENT
Yes, well said, Albert. You know...

"But in this capitalist world
They’re just modern day slaves"

...the first Christian Gathering, as related in the Bible book of Acts was communist!
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Elrenia
June 9, 2007

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Too sad. And too true. I am sure there has never been a society where this did not occur. Does not make it right, or less, but rather reality. We have the means to change things, but one part of the world cannot solve all the problems. I think in today's political climate, each government should be responsible for their people. And, someone should make sure they do. It is all well and good to decry such atrocities, but countries like the UK, US and the EU in general, cannot do much unless the warlords in the poorer countries are held in check.

You have told a horrific and heart-wrenching story here. It is too bad that those who need to read it most will never see it.

Thank you, so much, for sharing.

rous
. Rewarded 8
KainLegin
June 9, 2007

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There's a near by orphanage to our house, the kids there are living a bad condition, your poem is giving me more faith to help those kids. I am glad I read this poem of yours.
I have lived in an orphan for 3 years and though since 5 years old I lived with my perants until this day but I can still remember the sufferings these kids were enduring.
If orphanages are that bad then I don't want to think of how bad the condition of the kids living in the streets is with no roof to cover them or soft hands to comfort them.
Thank you for this beautiful poem, it certainly moved everyone's heart and give us more courage to help those kids.
Thank you and keep writting please.
. Rewarded 8
rhondasail
June 8, 2007

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I agree...wholeheartedly...now...what do you propose we do to make REAL change?...I ask this of all the readers here, not just you, dear poet; you have moved my heart and many others I am sure...it's just... money is too easily siphoned off and food gets redirected...I want to make a difference...what path's are there for me to follow?...show me a way...a better way than what has been done before...please!...I love this write. You have made a difference with words, poet, help us to make a difference in other ways...Peace to you, Rhonda
- agazeley
  June 9, 2007
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  Just do . . .Something . .
  
  Yes you are right – throwing money to be siphoned off by the wrong parties is heartbreaking - but that is just one way of helping – real help must come through politicians just as much as banks and charities – and of course people power. If you write to newspapers ( as I often do ) or even send poems to magazines and publications it keeps putting the problem back in front of those that can bring change – of course politicians don’t always read these publications, but their wives and children do . . and it gets spread around.
  
  Even forwarding this poem or other poems and comments through the email networks makes the attention snowball.
  
  To return to your main comment – some years ago I was at a United Nations Labor Conference, ( I.L.O. ) and I said to a union leader ( The U.S. Steel Workers ) how could he justify his salary and expenses – he had his own plane. . . (he explained that his union deserved the best and he was the best ) . . he went on to point out that many charities absorb 80 percent of what they collect in wages and overheads – but without them the balance of 20 percent would never be received and do the good that it does . . .
  
  I suppose the real answer to your question – What can be done? Is really . . Anything is better than nothing . .
  
  Albert.
kvwriter
June 8, 2007

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Powerful!
Albert, this hit hard as it is meant to. This poem needs to be read by so many people, it would be impossible to list. I believe wherever I walk, my path, whatever I chance upon along my life journey, I hold responsibility to do what I can. By writing, just as you have, that is doing something, especially when there is no way to get there in person. You did well here, Albert. Thank you for this! Be blessed!--Kel
storiesuntold
June 8, 2007

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So true and so sad
I have seen this for many years and it sickens me to know its still going on. It also sickens me when you hear of people spending thouasands on a dress and thousands on pictures to hang on themsleves and a wall when children are dieing everyday. When they let our busunesses move to other countries and start up business thete its not for the people there its for the slave labor and more money in the pockets of those doing it. Oh I think that the way our country ignores the starving right here and other countries in time it will reach the rich but how many will die before their eyes are opened
- agazeley
  June 9, 2007
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  Nothing is easy . .
  Companies move their businesses overseas mainly because people ( the customers ) what them to produce things cheaper. . . It always dumbfounds me that whilst people want higher wages they expect to go to the shops and buy cheaper goods . . .
  
  The other dreadful choice is do you let people work for low wages or do you stop them from working at all . . . by not sending jobs overseas . .
  
  Life isn’t easy . .
xxniccixx
June 8, 2007
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Wow! This was a very great read loved the lines!!!
BoMai
June 8, 2007

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Wonderful..This is what we need....
Albert, only if more of us could be concerned about these very sad challenges faced by the less fortunate... Very powerful write and excellent message indeed... BoMai