subdued by famine:
exposed to indifference
feeble hands implore
Author notes
I can't even express in words how deeply this image affects me.
I entered this into an anonymous contest, so please don't use my user name if you are kind enough to leave a comment. Thanks in advance. 
A contest entry
- . by Aurora Ceres.
475 points, ended December 5, 2007, 20 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - 25 Words Or Less - Prewrites Allowed!!! by xxRainbowDawnxx.
450 points, ended January 2, 2008, 52 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Calling all Haijin Give me your best shot Haiku Senru Only by Draig aine.
3000 points, ended June 23, 40 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Prompt: Five Poetic Forms by Manda Kathryn.
1000 points, ended July 2, 31 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - PREWRITE HAIKU-SENRYU CONTEST! by MysteriousWhisper.
450 points, ended August 17, 97 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 27 of 27
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Thank You for Your Entry ~
What a heart breaking photo and what an incredible poem to match it
I am speechless.
Best of Luck
♥
Stay safe
~Manda
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stunning
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ARGGG!!!!!!!!!
I want to destroy the universe when I see pictures like this, How could we call ourselves civilized and human !!!!!!!
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I'm with the others I don't like the image posted though I know it was to bring your point home.
nice work on the senryu.. best of luck in the contest
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This one breaks my heart. The picture compliments your words and strengthens them. Very nice senryu. Best to you in the contest.
Sam
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oh that's horrible... I really don't like the image. It's almost like one of those shock images isn't it. I hate suffering, if I can avoid it, I'll help people... I will help people avoid pain, that is. Great expressiveness...
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Thank you so much for your kind comments on this one.
This image deeply affected me, too. Don
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I cannot even begin to speak to this... Thank you for sharing this with me and I am so pleased that you will add your voice to the cause. Thank you Don. Many blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving to you, your beautiful wife, and your children. ~Pamela
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Thank you, Pamela!
Your words do so much to inspire me to write from the heart, Pamela. I continually learn to write more expressively, and you are one of those poets who have been an extraordinary influence on me in the short time I've been writing. I watched a couple of gut-wrenching news reports online this morning that showed some footage of the inhumane conditions in some of the Serbian institutions. The sight of seeing so many children exposed to indifference under the guise of "treatment" is truly horrendous. Just as I wrote about the suffering of famine in this poem, I am writing from my heart, and I am honored to do my part to help raise awareness.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family! ~Don, Simona, Dante, & Constance Winslow
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Oh my...I saw this contest and that picture...and it just...hit me really deep down inside. Your authors note says exactly what I am trying to actually...It's almost impossible to look at...agonising.
This poem fits it so brilliantly. Saying the obvious, but in a beautifully painful and not obvious way. One of your best, I really think this is.
Good luck in the contest, though that is not the point.
Take care x
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Thank you so much, George.
My own son is very close in age to that young boy. I can't even fathom the degree of agony that those that suffer the horrors of famine go through. I'm curious what possessions the man has in his pouch that are so valuable that he can so casually walk away from this starving child. It breaks my heart, and puts so much into perspective. Millions starve to death before they even reach the age of 12. Don
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Neither can I...it does put an awful lot into perspective.
I have heard there are more overweight people in the world than starving. Now that is just disgraceful...
Take care x
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Oh my chills! Feeble hands implore, this perspective screams at you. What a world we live in, I'm glad to see you addressing such noble causes but it doesn't surprise me. It was good of you to enter and I hope you win.
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Thank you so much.
You made a powerful statement about world hunger in your author notes on a poem you wrote about hearing no evil, and seeing no evil. My heart sunk when I saw this photo. I re-wrote this poem several times today, until I chose just the right words that impacted me the most. To see another human being in agony should be enough to bring out some compassion, but some choose to look the other way. They can be truly indifferent to the horrors others face, while they take for granted what some in this world would freely give a limb for. Don
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i can't even tell you how this image affected me either... i started tearing up before i even read your poem... and that just opened the gates for the flood...
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Thank you so much.
I reacted the same way when I saw the photo. For so few words in this poem, I wanted to choose them very carefully, especially because the image of this young boy affected me so profoundly. ~ Don
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This poem is extremely intense and poignant, and the deep effect that this horribly sad image has had on you has been very powerfully expressed. Best of luck in the contest.
David
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Thank you so much, David.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your words. Don
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Omg...that photo is horrific..and your words ..sighs..
I can not tell you how powerful this write is to me..
Im at a loss for words...
Blessed are the children...
Peace and many blessings my dear brother..
~A~
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Thank you so much, Asdzaa.
Don
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this image just breaks my heart, your entry is so powerful and the form really does allow for imapct as you have to choose your words so carefully. your heart bleeds here, excellent. best of luck to you be well and be blessed
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Thank you so much!
Your words speak volumes. My heart sunk to the floor when I saw this photo. Don
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oh so broken is my heart!!!!!!!! This photo just made me cry. Your poem was EXCELLENT...spoken volumes of the troubles in our world! best to you in the contest ~blessings always~
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Thank you so much.
I reacted the same way when I saw the photo. I'm so glad I wrote this, though. It makes me wonder just how far down a portion of humanity has plummeted. I think it may be just be a flaw in human nature to turn a blind eye, but for someone to simply walk away when they have the means to provide is nothing less than unconscionable. Together, we can make a difference. It's never too late to reach out to those in need.
Don
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This is a sad piece.Goodluck to you in the contest.Best wishes and much love
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Thank you so much, C.J.
Don
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