mr_blue_owl Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Why? I’m a boy in Africa, I am five years old today It’s been three days since any food has come my way My belly hurts and swells up, just like a balloon I hope I get a handful of some rice grains very soon I feel a little faint but I must stay awake you see There’s a nasty vulture watching from a nearby tree If I sleep he’ll think I’m dead and start to eat me up I’d like something to drink, but only dust is in my cup My mama used to give me milk from her sagging breast Then I’d snuggle up to her to take my daily rest I was so contented then and nothing caused me fear But now I am alone; my mama starved to death last year My dada’s death three years ago is painful to describe How he was taken out and murdered by another tribe I used to have my brothers two and pretty sisters three But they all went to heaven after catching HIV It’s very hot upon the plains of Africa today Flies are buzzing round my head, I wish they’d go away I think I’ll have a sleep, as so very tired I feel I hope I wake before that vulture makes me his next meal God Bless the Children of Africa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Blanco Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Another interesting poem, Mr Blue. In this instance, I wonder if the upbeat di-dum di-dum rhythm of the poem is too much at odds with the subject matter i.e. starvation, tribal warfare, AIDS? However, I really like your image of the little boy being watched by a vulture. I could imagine the whole poem being developed around that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_blue_owl Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Another interesting poem, Mr Blue. In this instance, I wonder if the upbeat di-dum di-dum rhythm of the poem is too much at odds with the subject matter i.e. starvation, tribal warfare, AIDS? However, I really like your image of the little boy being watched by a vulture. I could imagine the whole poem being developed around that. Hi Ron, You are definitely right about the rythm, it is more like the poor kid is talking about his birthday party, not death and starvation The poem was actually inspired by a real life photograph of a dying boy in Africa with a vulture waitng to eat him. It won some sort of top photographic prize, sadly the photographer committed suicide through depression not long afterwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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