No one wants it to be true more than me . . .
the world children imagine this one to be.
I'd like to believe. I wish that I could . . .
the fantasy that people are basically good.
Author notes
The photo is of a man who found his child among the hundreds of thousands of civilians murdered and dumped in mass graves under Hussein's regime.
To anyone who is still not convinced that taking Hussein out of power was a good idea, please visit massgraves.info/ for more photos like this one.
In regard to the verse, I don't think people are basically bad, either. In fact, I think most people are mostly good. But there are monstrosities among us that good people must stop.
What makes one person good and another evil is an immense mystery. How does the same country that created a Hitler also create a Herman Hesse, Bach, etc. Who knows what makes one person a poet and another a killer? (Though letting hatred pollute the soul would be my first guess.) But when the killers are running wild, there's no time for philosophy, or waiting for the U.N. to make a quick decision for once. As the old saying goes, "Evil flourishes when good people do nothing."
Hussein and his butchers are no longer free to murder children and other innocent civilians. Humanity should be proud of that. It's time to stop bickering over the details and come together as a human family, fighting evil wherever it exists.
(I do not know who took this photograph and do not intend to infringe upon copyright law by posting it here, nor am I profiting in any way from it. I will give credit to the photographer if and when I find out who he/she is.)
Written September 23rd, 2004
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 39 of 39
-
MUST SEE
ahh
there I see ....very touching pic
well written topic
short
upto the point and yeah a good combo of words
the term "fantasy " in the line "I wish that I could . . .
the fantasy that people are basically good"
hits hard
its always a matter to think whether
humanity exist, whether there are still good people left
an applaudable work here
keep penning
-
Humanity: the quality or state of being human. What a word...Saddam, his sons, and followers have no clue what that means. This is hell on earth, and I have no compunction about sending it back where it belongs. Humanity should not turn a blind eye. There is a need to defend what is good...and it costs.
-
I Like this short piece very much so..even im against the war,because i think that even create more damage..As i come from place as similar as Iraq..i know what those people were suffering from Saddam..but i still think the War wasn't great idea..Mark,did you see any simlar pictures of the above that happened from the war?..i saw many as i have been up to date with everything about the war..looking at it in many side of views..Mark,i hope you accept my comment,im just sharing my honest opinion with you..your poem was excellent no doubt..you show your excellent professional skills in on all your writings..good luck..
Edited on Dec 06, 11:31 p.m. because ''. -
Well spoken words. You have a good nature of thinking and writing.
-
Very Very nicely written. I can relate to your thoughts here. Loved it!!!!!
YFA,
Sandy -
This is excellent. Well written Mark. Clean, right to the point.
Your professional skills are evident... and so is your clear mind.
Don -
Hello Saurabh,
Just wanted to address something you wrote -
"I personally do not think it is right to use someone's tragedy as a cue to drive a point in an argument."
The photo wasn't used to drive any points home. Quite the opposite - the poem was inspired by the photo. If a point was made, so be it. Using a tragic photograph would be disrespectful only if the verse accompanying it was.
Aside from that, photographs are the most powerful ways to influence people. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." You're right - many terrible things are happening all over the world at any given moment. Photographs are one of the reasons the Jewish Holocaust was stopped, though too late for six million. If not for the photographs of emaciated prisoners standing behind barbed wire, who knows how many more millions would have been murdered. America was very hesitant to get involved in that war for a long time, but when we started seeing the images, we knew it was the right thing to do.
Likewise, the main reason we didn't do anything about the estimated 60 million killed in the USSR under Communism was because there were no cameras allowed behind the iron curtain and we weren't seeing any photographs of the atrocities. We heard plenty of descriptions about what was going on there by people who managed to defect, but words don't leave an imprint on the memory the way a photograph does, because the mind works in images, not letters, and retains them better.
So as far as I'm concerned, photographs like these can't be shown enough, especially in a mind-bogglingly complacent world where so many people don't seem to want to risk their own skin to help strangers anymore. The world has become very small, so what happens to some of us happens to all of us. Or as John Donne put it, "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind."
Best wishes,
Mark
Edited on Sep 25, 1:27 because ''. -
This hurt. I am holding my three year old. I could not imagine...
-
I hate the fact that there is a war but I don't think it could be prevented. What I hate is all the innocent people that have been killed especially the children. I think most of the war is based on politics. I hate the way that Bush has handled all of this.But thats a whole other subject. I think you did a great job with this write. Short but says so much. You have my praise and my applause for a great write. Alexis
-
I remain in total disagreement with the war, though I fully acknowledge Saddam's evil. This is not a stance I've taken without MUCH thought. If the evils done by Saddam to his own people were worth the war then we should have done the same in places like Sudan long ago. But all debate aside I find myself in agreement with your poem. I don't believe that people are basically good. And that's where I'll leave it since I'm not trying to get into philosophical or theological discussions.
-
This was a very touching write. I too think that the photos of the events that happened due to Hussein should be shown to the world, to reveal how much of a disgrace society is becoming today. I'm glad his power has been terminated, and that there will be a little more peace and hope.
An excellent and powerful write, wrote with touching words. Take care and thanks for sharing. Kate
-
The title drew me in and you echo my sentiments.I have asked this question and the answer eludes me.And perhaps there are is no simple answer to this profound question.So much said in few well chosen words.
-
Very good.... I can so see what u were thinking by seeing that pic... Very good write be sure to keep them up
-
This is really cool. The origin of its super-coolness, I believe, is in its simplicity along-side its complexity. Very nice...
-
I liked the simplicity of this piece that fused many levels of emotion...I enjoy writes where it leaves the reader 'wondering' blended with an aroma of bittersweetness-excellent job!
Mozaic -
Touching
The death of any child is a sin, whether in war or in peace. I will not talk politics but I will say that it is a shame that the likes of Hussein were ever put into power by an even larger power than Iraq, My apologies if I offend, it is not my intention . This was so well portrayed, the pitifully overwhelming sadness of the picture and the complete waste of war.Somebody further up this column said "they should be shot" I have to say in all honesty, I am inclined to agree.
-
short and honest
I admit I had to read it twice
(second line) being old and slow, as I am.
I would agree with your reasoning if the invasion had been for those ideals.
But I fear it was politically driven more than anything else.
This means that world opinion (whatever the hell that's supposed to be) is at play and whilst good came of it, much will remain untouched because of perceptions and 'reputations'. The purpose of a govenment is to stay in power. That's it. Governing and good works come a bad second to that. Harsh but true. -
Bravo, Mark...
I realize I commented last night, my Friend...but the picture wasn't on here then...as sorrowful as it makes one feel, I am still glad I clicked on your piece again...I think the world SHOULD see these photos...we should be shocked into awareness as much & as often as possible...until these tragedies are obsolete...they will never be forgotten...Bless you, Mark...you, too, are a voice of Reason...a couple Friends of mine have done some writes based upon these tragic events...God Bless us all...horrific times we live in... Wanda
-
This is a great poem. Your words inhance the power of the picture. So sad and horrible. Wonderfully written. But you are right people are mostly good. But their are those few psychopaths in this world. Its hard to even imagine haveing to go through that. But you did a great job with the poem.
-
I get so confused when I think about the war. And I hate it. I just cant seem to decide if I think it is good or bad, because I dont know where to draw a line between the two. I dont think there is a clear line. That is why my opinions go in circles too much. There are two sides to everything. There were good reasons to go to war, but there were also reasons not to. Anyway, I love the poem; I love the picture-it IS heartbreaking; I just cant say that I wholeheartedly agree with you or wholeheartedly disagree with you. I can just say that you are gifted beyond words and that it is great that you can make up your mind and support what you believe in.
-
my mouth is hanging open.I really cant wrap my mind around something so horrible.I can imagine having to dig through piles of rubble and dead people and happen to come accross your childs body.IM STUNNED
-
I knew there was something I liked about you from the start. The fact that you can take something so vividly gruesome and turn it around to be an eye-opener is simply stunning. I agree with you fully about some people who just don’t get it. Maybe they were away on holiday when the Towers fell and they just haven’t been able to catch up on the news yet?
~ John
-
wow what an image and how thought provoking your words are. thank you for sharing.. you've certainly given me some food for thought
-
You know Mark, the both of us wear our hearts on our sleeves. But as much as I believe there is Good in people. I know there are those that are twice as evil, and should just be shot. I have faced several truths about myself as I get older. One is that I could believe in the Death Penalty. That isn't just uselessly thrown out there either. That was something that for me, the right to life type, was so hard to come to terms with. And it changed the day I became a MOTHER. I watched the movie Eye for an Eye, and I shook literally shook with fear. And thought oh God what if that was my daughter? I had my newborn in my arms while I watched it. I started changing right there. Yes there are good people, but there are plenty Bad... This brings out so much Mark in people and you have a talent for that with your writing, bringing out emotions of all kinds with your writes. As always, A fan, Catressa
-
oh my goddess hunny. that picture tore my heart completely out. I am the mother of 4 glorious children in reality...and 5 here on AP I am damn proud to love. I would go completley insane of any of my children reality or cyber were hurt. Not to mention thos of my dearest friends. What the hell have people come to? There are those that are still basically good, but damnit all for those who go and are crude and disgusting. good poem dipite the hell
-
SUPERB
Damn this is perfect! you capture the fathers pain and the what we should have seen in the first place as far as what the media shows us about Iraq and this war over there! all we are shown is the negative stuff the prison and poor treatment of prisoners. The death of our soldiers and the many other horable things that they use to condenm the president fo rhis actions. I say this should have happened the first time we were there. That S>O>B> should be tortured like he has tourtured so many people during his reign there! Excellent Piece. -
So sad, so tragic, so heartbreaking, so frustrating, so infuriating, and unfortunately so human (although some would say 'inhuman'). Nice write to go along with an utterly heartwrenching photo...
-
Thought-provoking poem and picture..I know that I am basically good and my universe begins and ends with me..therefore, I believe everyone is basically good and good ultimately triumphs over evil..always!
<3 Maureen
-
This poem just leads to my favorite question...What kind of world are we leaving for our children? I still say that isolationism is the only way out of our present condition. We need to focus on our homes and our children and residents instead of inforcing our values on the rest of the world.
-
I think some people ARE basically good, because I know my own heart. And would you call yourself good? To have this type of concern I would think that you are. But I also believe that there really are evil people in the world, and it is too bad we can't seem to tell who is who...it sure would make life a whole lot easier.
-
beautiful poem. so honest and to the point. Great job!
-
Well, I still don't agree about the war, lol, but your poem was very touching and thought-provoking. It's definitely something to consider... all that tragedy, and we're forced to ask ourselves when it's our right to step in and take over. Wonderful writing. For how short it was, it was extremely powerful.
-
picture is gone. I agree with Mari, I get the "picture"
If this is what you see all the time, Mark....this is what you will see all the time, Mark. Gosh, isn't that profound?
Remember....you will see what you look for. Look for good, you will find it everywhere. Just as the news reports. If they would want to report the good in our world...they could never have enough news time to report it, or newspaper to fill it. But people like to see the gory, the bad....
It sells papers and makes for ratings.
Cheryl
-
I see no picture here Mark
But it is ok, your poem paints the image clear enough.
I, despite the horrible things that are happening in the world, still believe in hope, love and goodness of mankind.
A very dark thought, coming from you...I think you need a new supply of zeros
K&L,
Mari
-
I still believe that people are basically good, my Friend...although Hope is hard to maintain in these days...I shall always try to keep Faith in my Heart & Love in my eyes...Bravo, Mark... Wanda
-
very good
It is hard to look around at all the sadness in the world and not think that there is no place for joy and happiness. Trouble is we are exposed to more violence and hatred because it sells. The happy news is passed by.
Very well written.
John -
I have to agree with Annastacia ouch. Nice write though.
-
all I know is this is so fricking heartbreaking.
-
Oh, gosh, what a kick in the chest. wow.
Anna
Adding your comment:
1 - 39 of 39
14 old applause
