We Are All Witnesses

16 Comments

Tags:
  • Thought Provoking

    Poem Commentary

    If each able person did one thing each day for someone other than thenselves this Earth we call home would be enriched. 

    We Are All Witnesses

    As we draw close to a new year it is time to take pause

    and examine this world and its many many flaws

    Surrounded by beauty beyond human imagination

    We must also look beyond at the existing abominations    

    We all stand as witnesses to the following acts

    So do not look the other way in the face of these facts

     

    Eighteen thousand children die each day from starvation.

    Three point five million people are homeless in our nation.

    Atrocities against the innocent continue in many far off lands.

    Politicians that serve special interests are ignoring our demands

    Thousands of the infirm and aged are abused and neglected

    Helpless animals are mistreated, their rights unprotected

    The Earth’s environment is poisoned and needlessly spoiled

    Children are sold into prostitution; their innocence forever soiled

     

    So as you reflect on today’s many blessings in your life

    Just remember that others are faced with misery and strife

    And as your children frolic with their new Christmas toys

       Just remember that others will never experience such joys

    Irrespective of your religion or spiritual persuasion

     Look deep into your soul and search for true inspiration

    For if you and I choose to ignore these human infractions             

    We as witnesses will be left with no excuse for our inactions

     

    ©Copyright Charlie Gragg, December 26, 2009

    Poem Comments

    (16)

    Please login or register

    You must be logged in or register a new account in order to
    leave comments/feedback and rate this poem.

    Login or Register

    Marsink commented on We Are All Witnesses

    02-14-2010

    Yes, I agree. There is always a call to our character, for good to be better, and great to excellence. There wasn't much frolic with toys, but, a wise crooner once sang,"Count Your Blessings". I feel it's imperative to pass them on as well
    Reply to Comment

    Merlyn commented on We Are All Witnesses

    02-08-2010

    Tears run down my face as I twist and writhe with the pain of OUR truth. I, myself, feel the strong draw, as a witness, to make some difference. I feed the homeless. What do all of you DO? If we all commit to do something, anything, I believe the world will have so much less pain. Relieve some of. KUDOS for this true eye opener!
    Reply to Comment

    Hampton

    02/08/2010

    You are correct. If we all did one small thing we could move mountains.

    Hiporlacking commented on We Are All Witnesses

    12-30-2009

    When you say it like that it sounds bad. Ha. It is a sorry state of affairs we're in. What's even sadder is that this comprehensive list isn't even half of the problems we ignore. Nice write.
    Reply to Comment

    Hampton

    12/30/2009

    Thanks.

    SavVySam commented on We Are All Witnesses

    12-30-2009

    So very sadly true and worthy of being brought to the forefront every now and then! Good for you, and thanks for sharing!
    Reply to Comment

    charles52 commented on We Are All Witnesses

    12-29-2009

    Great, powerful words. We do not treat each other like we would like to be treated. Your poem does an excellent of stating this sad fact. Thanks for sharing. Charles
    Reply to Comment

    Hampton

    12/29/2009

    Thanks for reading and commenting.

    If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) American poet.

    Hampton’s Poems (111)

    Title Comments Submitted
    Title Comments Submitted
    Searching 5 03/20/2011
    The Poetess 14 02/01/2011
    Nonsense 12 01/25/2011
    Solitude 18 01/18/2011
    Lame Limericks 14 01/16/2011
    Message to Papa 15 01/15/2011
    Young Jimmy O’Fallon 11 01/08/2011
    The Computer From Hell 18 01/06/2011
    Life Ain’t for Sissies 16 01/01/2011
    The Mind In Motion 13 12/30/2010
    The Game of Poetry 9 12/23/2010
    Silence 55 12/17/2010
    WordSlinger 19 12/12/2010
    Holiday Thoughts 12 12/03/2010
    Sweet Mary 18 12/01/2010
    From White to Grey to Black 19 11/17/2010
    The Reckoning 12 11/14/2010
    And All of That Jazz 16 11/13/2010
    Today 25 11/01/2010
    No Offense, Just My Opinion 16 10/31/2010
    Lucky 10 10/27/2010
    You’re Only as Old as You Feel 13 10/23/2010
    Saturday Night 13 10/20/2010
    Political Change? 14 10/19/2010
    The Female Gender 17 10/15/2010
    I’m In Charge Here, Aren’t I? ( With Epilogue) 10 10/14/2010
    I’m In Charge Here, Aren’t I? 7 10/13/2010
    Remembering 11 09/22/2010
    This Web We Weave 13 09/19/2010
    The End 16 09/07/2010
    The Day the Clouds Cried 16 09/02/2010
    The Path of Life 12 08/27/2010
    My Mother Ruth 12 08/01/2010
    Forever–ast
    er    		 11 07/25/2010
    Humanities Challenge 14 07/24/2010
    A Cowboy's Perspective 12 07/23/2010
    July in Buda Texas 14 07/12/2010
    The OP Poets Parade 20 07/12/2010
    The Chatelaine 12 06/23/2010
    Shot Through the Heart 17 06/16/2010
    Poetry and Fine Wine 18 06/13/2010
    The Man What Am 10 06/09/2010
    The Final Beat of My Heart 16 06/05/2010
    The Rainbow of Poets 19 05/31/2010
    A Cowboy's Lament 13 05/14/2010
    Of This World I am Not 17 05/08/2010
    The Wee People 19 05/04/2010
    An Evening at an Irish Pub 15 04/20/2010
    The Scent of Love 14 04/18/2010
    Fresh News from Buda Texas 16 04/11/2010
    Memories of Times Past 13 04/11/2010
    The Dance of the Poets 20 04/03/2010
    The Confession 14 03/21/2010
    Road to Obscurity 18 03/20/2010
    Barbara 14 03/09/2010
    Shadows 15 02/28/2010
    Prescience 17 02/16/2010
    Words That Bind 54 01/29/2010
    Wondering 26 01/06/2010
    New Year News from Buda Texas 13 01/02/2010
    We Are All Witnesses 16 12/28/2009
    Christmas 25 12/14/2009
    A Cowboy’s Prayer 29 12/10/2009
    The 9 ers 24 12/01/2009
    Love Defined 27 11/30/2009
    Tis a Time to Give Thanks 21 11/23/2009
    More News From Buda Texas 26 11/18/2009
    Choices 26 11/15/2009
    News from Buda, Texas 21 11/10/2009
    In Search of God 21 11/09/2009
    Writers of Poems (WOPs) 26 11/04/2009
    Out of the Darkness 15 10/29/2009
    Visions from Within the Mist 18 10/20/2009
    Baseball 12 10/16/2009
    The Night Stalker 16 10/16/2009
    The Man I Presume to be Buck 16 10/12/2009
    The Sounds of Time 17 10/03/2009
    The Little Man in the Green Hat 18 10/02/2009
    Blah Blah Blah 14 09/27/2009
    One Two Three 13 09/22/2009
    Carpe Viam 11 09/16/2009
    Love in the Afternoon 13 09/11/2009
    The Moth 14 09/08/2009
    Lost & Dungeons of the Mind 11 08/31/2009
    The Creative Process 19 08/28/2009
    The Truth and the Tribe 19 08/23/2009
    The Long Wait. 19 08/19/2009
    Feathers 26 08/14/2009
    The Arrow 14 08/06/2009
    Take Two Cialis and Call Me in the Morning 26 10/30/2009
    Ghostly Images 16 07/25/2009
    Friends 11 07/21/2009
    Angels Without Wings 20 10/04/2009
    IN MY OWN WORDS 13 07/16/2009
    The Rider 16 07/08/2009
    Pride and Shame 18 07/02/2009
    The Winning Poet is.... 21 06/20/2009
    Memories 13 06/19/2009
    Politicians 67 10/05/2009
    Your Mailbox Is Empty 18 10/01/2009
    God's Visit 17 06/08/2009
    Poets and Poems 20 06/05/2009
    Love Thy Neighbor 13 06/03/2009
    Renewal 8 06/03/2009
    The Roar of Silence 17 06/01/2009
    Blessed Are These Days 4 06/01/2009
    Time and Space 5 05/27/2009
    Life's Journey 8 05/21/2009
    Gift To The Fallen 16 05/21/2009
    Hunger 21 05/18/2009
    The Antique Shop 30 05/13/2009
    Top of Page