ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Hi Maureen

Thanks again for your prompts. There don't seem to be any takers as yet, so here's one inspired by Manfred's poem, the discussion that followed, and recent events.

David

A Place Too Far

Your Bible says that we should seek
to always turn the other cheek
if we are wronged in any way,
but that’s an easy thing to say
when you are clean, well clothed and fed,
and spend each night at home in bed.

While we are trapped in Dante’s hell,
behind barbed wire where none can tell
if each new dawn will bring some hope,
and many have no way to cope
with knowing that their children weep
through each long day, and cannot sleep.

They burnt our home, they took our land,
but you don’t seem to understand
we faced a choice to leave or die,
for still you always ask us…why?
So tell me, please, what you would do
if someone started bombing you?

For desperation takes its toll,
it leads to risks beyond control…
and now despair’s remorseless night
destroys belief, and so we fight.
But time will never heal this scar…
forgiveness is a place too far.

© David 19/02/14

Good on you David - thank you. What a superb use of the prompts I am honoured that you shared such a great piece with us.

Bloody Brilliant David. I'm encouraged by the increasing numbers who have the courage, and apply the, 'walk a mile in my shoes' insight.

And I'm still shaking my head bewildered at the lack of humanity exercised by those who are locked into a 'convenient un-truth' ...

A beautiful piece David.

Sue

Thank you Maureen, Manfred and Sue. There's an interesting perspective on this whole issue in the New York Times at: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/magaz ... .html?_r=0

David