Horrified,
when I see her lying partially naked,
half asleep or unconscious,
on a busy street of Block A’s market.
I die a little inside.
I halt,
give a closer look,
and my heart cringes
at the sight of her seemingly burnt stomach,
the permanently etched pain on her face.
I linger,
and scan myself for courage
to offer her aid.
But then I cower, walk past and pretend
that the last 30 seconds never occurred.
A whirlwind
takes over my mind,
and all I can notice is
naive kids picking rags,
not knowing what would become of them.
No reprieve
seems to meet
the wailing mother,
hiding her tears and
feeding her hungry child.
Supervision
seems to allude
the vulnerable little ones
running in half pants,
and may be enduring what they ought not.
No more
I can bear
the rhetoric of my mind,
and rush back to find
the faceless girl in Block A.
Gone!
No trace no sign.
Just the empty space
with her ghost in my mind
sitting in the very same corner.
I wonder
how she went,
where she had gone.
Thought of what might befall her,
pierces my heart through and through.
Ashamed!
For I just witnessed
my substandard reflexes bringing no aid,
and me wading each and every day, deluded,
through the mess of my own neglect.
Exasperated,
I prod myself.
Find my pretty logics cloaking conveniences,
too afraid to stand alone and up straight,
carrying the backbone of a coward.
Swear
to act upon it
one step at a time,
not frightening my fragile courage,
remembering that faceless face every time.
Hoping
that god forbid I come across
the same ghost in my life again,
I will have the courage to stop
and bring her back to life.
This poem is about how we come across so many homeless people on the streets but just cant find the courage to lend a helping hand. I am doing a 30 Days series of Poems on ‘Humanity’… This is my poem for Day 10 (Will soon edit and post the poems for rest of the days.)
Also, in Response to Kim’s (Poets United) prompt of writing succinctly and boldly about a personal experience . Sorry for not keeping it under 100 words, but just had to write it all down to get it on the common grounds for all the readers.. I hope it makes us all find our courage for those in need.
With Love
Shivani Ahuja
ashivani 
Sad and real – I think many of have shared/lived something similar. This poem is a step towards healing and better understanding of our humanity.
So tragic to see someone in such a desperate situation, you captured the feeling of the onlooker with great compassion and the helplessness we feel, not knowing what we can do to help.
Oh! my gdo, I could literally feel this pain, very touching and pray that such thungs never happen in htis world.
Aid is not always something willingly received by those we perceive to be in need. That does not mean we should stop trying, only that we recognize our own limitations. Great poem with much feeling and self-searching.
I really like these lines:
/But then I cower, walk past and pretend
that the last 30 seconds never occurred. /
Great action and emotion and something which really speaks to the questions of the human condition we all share.
A very powerful poem for sure. I love the message. I am anxious to read your other humanity poems. Sounds like a fulfilling challenge to be a part of.
This is such a sad topic. My heart breaks for the homeless who have so much suffering in their lives. You’ve captured this feeling of the courage that we all hope we will have when the time comes.
Fantastically well written poem about the human dilemma of passing by the suffering, not knowing what we can do – there are so many, everywhere, every day. Because of your poem, we will remember this soul and maybe pluck up our courage, too, when it happens next.
A sad reminder. So often we don’t see what is before our eyes.
It does take great courage to stop and offer assistance and you are brave to consider what you will do the next time!
Impressed by your writing style. It captures all emotions there is in offer. Great job. Keep writing. God bless.
We live in a world where helping gives more pain……. So we dont have courage to help
sad the way we sometimes we choose to walk by, live in denial…hopefully we all will rise above it.
But then I cower, walk past and pretend that the last 30 seconds never occurred – isn’t that ever so true – we get so engrossed in our own lives that we haven’t got time for others. Something to ponder over. Nicely written.
Heart-breaking and brilliantly articulated I felt every emotion, I could so poignantly visualize this piece. Amazing job you have a remarkable gift.
Your honesty is refreshing and this poem is so heartwrenching, yet beautiful. I have been in this situation myself and have felt that same moment of intense shame. Thank you for sharing!
It is like we know it and what we should do, but somehow, we choose to ignore this aspect… It’s a shame on us.
Nice poetry. While all and sundry weave poems on love and moon. you turn your poetic eyes in those abandoned, cursed children on the street.Kudos!
This is an amazing, direct and poignant retelling of a life changing experience. You use just the right words, just the right number. Nothing is wasted, nothing extra. An amazing write.
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2013/05/10/wounded/
Certainly a universal experience. Well written with a depth of sensitivity that is both profound and refreshing. Not an easy topic, but you handled it with care and a great deal of awareness. Your honesty is to be applauded,
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/
Thank you all for appreciating the poem.. It is heart warming to see how many of you could relate to it.