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Invisible Children

Uganda, the Congo,

Sierra Leone and Darfur
This just infuriates me!
And the thing that upsets me the most,
is not those
who are doing this
but the 95% of the rest
who choose to turn a blind eye and allow this
to continue unchecked!  
How many lilly white children
would go through the same
before a righteously angry crusade
was launched.

You ask me to keep an open mind;
that the unequal

treatment of my people
is something left far behind in history,
and "things have changed".
Ok then,
can you explain to me
why the persecution of these children
isn't being broadcast
on world-wide tv!

And while you're trying to convince me
to be silent,
the blood of these children rises
from the violence
screaming,
"Make them confirm or deny the obvious.
Speak against comfortable indifference!
Make them smell the scent
until their nostrils are gourged
and pours drip with the sickening stench
of stolen innocence.
Force a side to be taken
and then
strap it to their backs
and force them
to carry it back home
with them,
living with their decision
until Christ comes for judgement
and see how well they defend
the consciously allowed persecution
of children."

You ask me if I believe in demons?
Shit... last time I checked,
I lived with them.
_____________________________

Copyright John M. Swails

Author notes

This poem was written in response to the Atrocities going on in Uganda and the lack of concern demonstrated by ANY of the world powers!!

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 19 of 19

  • Lyrical Rain
    February 21, 2008

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    This is such a touchy topic for so many people because these crimes go unheard of or unsaid. Then they want to tell you theyve got it under control when the truth is nobodys in control. So many leaders have made that clear over decades; unable to stop wars, unable to save lives, unable as a country to humble ourselves enough to help someone else. These govt. officials walk around high minded like they own the world, like theyre God, but when judgement day comes they have a many stripes to suffer. People dont yet understand that in order to save this country that innocent blood will always be shed. So as you can see I loved this poem and it inspires me to write and also speak out. If youll read some of my poetry I already have.


  • CountryCousin
    February 18, 2008

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    I disturbs me too.

    This disturbs me too, and it is strange that in Tanzania President Bush is loved for his efforts to help with those stricken with AIDS among other things. George Clooney to his great credit has gone to the UN over this and more. When the Holocaust occured for years many did shut their eyes to what was happening. In the Christian belief that is called the sin of omission. It is not always the sin of committing an act that gets you but the sin of not as you say doing anything.

  • Yvette Champ gold member
    January 31, 2008

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    Amen!

    Dearest Brother Poet and Brother Human Being
    You write with a powerful voice
    That is heard from here across the Pond
    I want to say I agree with your verse
    It's time for those of us with a choice
    To unite and say this must not get worse!
    Lets get healing by dealing
    A deck of cards as we would be done by
    We in the West have more to invest
    Than stocks in oil shares
    We can show the sincerity of our cares
    By pro-active peaceful protest penned
    Stating the named call for this this to end!
    All the Invisible Children must be seen
    Let their horrific screams be heard
    A hex on the media who sell us their views
    We want these tragedies on prime-time news!
    To be born with a caramel coloured skin
    Is most certainly not not a sin
    If we ignore the innocent that implore
    Surely it is our own soul we put in a spin?
    Again and again I say we have Free Speech
    Let us utilize it so we may try and reach
    The politicians that we pay our taxes too
    So we hush the rivers of tears crying
    So we halt the innocent victims dying!



    Please excuse the rhyme and meter, but it doesn't matter much, it's the intent that is such that we should Stop! Look! and Listen! The point is surely this and only this, if these were your children,could you concieve of ignoring their plight?

    No, no, no, you would use every sinew and synapse
    to fearlessly fight, bring it on, this is a shout out to the world so that something is done, extend your hand, how hard is to help someone?


    Don't sit in Church on Sunday wearing your Sunday Best and praying for yourself, stand up, shout out, sing out, be a Good Samaritan and help someone else!



    My suggestion is this :


    We have run contests here to get into the Guinness Book of Records, we have columns re many worthy campaigns, let us unite and run a contest where we ALL enter and send the verse to every national leader and say WE THE UNDERSIGNED ASK YOU WHY YOU ARE IGNORING THE INNOCENT AND SAY THESE ATROCITIES ARE NOT IN OUR NAME AND WE WON'T WALK WITH THE SHAME OR BLAME, PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, FOR WE HAVE ONE WORLD,ONE LOVE AND THESE PEOPLE WE DON'T NEGATE.


    I state here on the open page that I would be more than willing to add my name, my voice and my shout out to say enough is enough, let's deal and start healing TODAY!



    One Love





  • JinSays gold member
    January 31, 2008

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    As far as the poem itself goes, you did a fantastic jog keeping thoughts corraled, and streamlined them all the way down to the last letter. Clean, clear, presentation, no holds barred, flawless.
    As far as the content, it's anyone's guess. There aren't too many of us that'll dare speak against you on this. Without getting into a big political discussion about the atrocities of our world, let's just say I agree..enough! Enough already, these children deserve better, and I am sickened even more everyday, with what I see.
    But, who's going to take the blame? Who's going to stand tall and do something about it?
    Jin


  • Celinda Luna
    January 31, 2008

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    stark and forward

    Very brutally honest and filled with details that paint the scene before you. Lines 9-12 completely tell the truth. The ending kicks ass.


  • Faeryn
    January 31, 2008
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    Wow, great poem! I loved the last stanza. At summer camp I attened an Invisible Children semminar; it was so sad. Everyone should jnow about hte genocide happening in Africa; ignorance isn't an acceptable excuse to ignore all of this. thank you for speaking out.
    -Tay


  • Arsonforallages
    January 31, 2008

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    This was amazing, i agree with every word.
    I dont normally like to be vulgar when im commenting on someones writing but, our world is fucked up. our goverment focuses on things like the middle east when we shouldnt even be there and look past things like uganda and sierra leone and others everyday. they say its not our fight, its not our business..but truthfully, iraq and the rest of the middle east wasnt our business. how is the persecution, death and use of children as war machines not our business? our country wont do a damn thing for anyone unless theres something in it for them. what ever happened to doing the right thing because it was the right thing, not because you got something out of it?


  • Asdzaa Nadleehe
    January 31, 2008
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    An excellent spoken word piece...
    I agree with you ..these children need help ,I have no idea why it seems that the world feels this has become acceptable....ITS NOT!!!
    A very powerful write...

    Best wishes to you with this entry..

    Peace and many blessings
    ~A~


  • angeloffire69
    January 31, 2008
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    this is a wonderful piece!!!


  • Wall Door Salad
    January 31, 2008
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    This is an astounding piece. Keep it up.<3


  • hey charlie
    January 30, 2008

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    Wonderful poem. Well... actually... it's more of a thought than a poem, but who cares? You rock. I think the only way things will change is if we change them. I'm not very familiar with groups that reach out and try to change situations like this but the more I've looked at the insanity our world has become, the more I realize I'm an idiot to not try and make a difference. There has to be something we could do. Your poem is inspiring and captivating. It serves a purpose to do more than whine about feelings and show off one's extensive vocabulary. Thank you for entering.


    • WisdomWarrior
      January 31, 2008
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      Thank you for your comments. The form is called spoken word and it often rhymes within lines and tends to ryhme the rhythmn of the words more than the words themselves. I really want to start recording and when I do I'll give you a link where you can hear the poem and maybe then the poetry side of this will stand out for you more.

      Be encouraged, one voice can do more than you may realize and regardless, every journey starts with the first step. I admire the steps you have taken. This contest did a lot to raise the consciousness of those who would otherwise not know of the atrocities occuring in Africa. The US, for example, tends to not get involved in non-profitable campaigns and so the general public is not informed. Perhaps your voice will combine with others to rectify this.

      One Love,

      John

  • Fallen Angel
    January 28, 2008
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    Amazing poem i'm so glad finally someone has spoken up.


  • arafura gold member
    January 28, 2008

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    I can't say more than the last verse does...

    "You ask me if I believe in demons?
    Shit... last time I checked,
    I was living with them."

    Powerful... compelling... and true. Good luck in the contest!


  • secberm
    January 27, 2008

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    God bless, brother. This needs to be sounded continuously and WHEN it occurs. Darfur had gone on for a bit before it was put on front street. Then at that it was a blurb. Rwanda... ANY of the strife in Africa stems from the idea of materialism. To think, tribes (African and Native American) lived of the land and off the land. ONE never hoarded. If a fisherman caught more fish than he needed then he gave to his neighbors. Why? It would rot before he could eat it all! If tribes warred, then it was for the use of land. NOT to take something and say, "That's mine." And THAT was called savage? Anyway, I'm gonna chill...

    Write on.

    DEZ

  • Sign of the Swine
    January 27, 2008

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    In Uganda, in Darfur, in Sierra Leone, in the Congo, all of it is being ignored by the rest of the world. As long as it doesn't affect them, no one gives a damn. I've almost given up hope for humanity in this world. No one cares.

    • WisdomWarrior
      January 27, 2008
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      Thank you S.O.S. I will probably, eventually be banned for my position on this but I feel a poet's responsibility is to take the media given them and cry out against unrighteousness, no matter where it lies. It is the last freedom of speech excersiable here in the U.S. I fear this too will soon be banned.

      One Love,

      John

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