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Gangsters Paradise

GANGSTERS PARADISE South Africa has a high rate of crime, anything is probable, Keeping out determined criminals is impossible! This is the house that my parents built 40 years ago that we We live in, This is the house that we built a palisade fence around that We live in, This is the electric fence on top of the palisade fence of the house That we live in, This is the remote to get into the property of the house That we live in This is the security gate in front of the door of the house that We live in This is the thick wooden door with two dead locks in the house That we live in When it gets dark, we activate our CCTV 16 camera system in the House, that we live in. Finally when we go to bed, we lock two inside security gates, cutting off the Sleeping area, from the rest of the house that we live in. Many South Africans have emigrated To Australia, America, New Zealand, Japan, Europe and even Thailand Only then, to have to face a terrorist attack, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, or a stab in the back!

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Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 4/1/2019 12:30:00 PM

- It sounds like you live safely behind all locked doors ... but also like staying in a box without an entrance or exit ... what happens if a fire occurs ... and the power doesn't work ... I had not slept for a second, Jenny ... I would be afraid - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 4/5/2019 3:25:00 PM

Hi dear Sunshine Smile, we do have an exit in the bedroom area, so we could get out - I always have the key for this exit on the bedside table. I would be afraid also without this exit. Poetry hugs, Jenny

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 3/31/2019 8:39:00 PM

G'day Jennifer … we really do live in a violent society nowadays. It was always somewhere else to us - until what happened in NZ and that sent shock waves across Aus - your description of protection has rocked me - thank you Jennifer - Lindsay

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 4/1/2019 1:08:00 AM

Hi Lindsay, Living has become a scary business - yes we saw the News and Video clips - horrific - he was even chasing the injured to kill them. This was just a the act of a madman, they haven't linked it to terrorism have they? I forgot to add to the poem that we also have an alarm system hooked up to a security company with a 24/7 armed response. The world has become violet Lindsay, we all seem to face danger in different ways. A great comment - thank-you Lindsay! Poetry hugs, Jennifer

Arturo Michael

Date: 3/30/2019 10:12:00 AM

Talking times poetry...Living in the word...I like your approach to this subject...Well done...

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/30/2019 1:18:00 PM

Thank-you Arturo, Planet Earth is a prison that can barley contain us all - the good, the bad and the ugly! There are tickets for a one way to Mars however (I think) around 2025! Poetry hugs, Jenny.

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 3/29/2019 11:23:00 AM

Such a superb piece Jenny, telling well the reality of your situation but so sad you have to do this. It must be difficult living in this situation, may you all be kept safe. Blessings always, Gordon

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/30/2019 3:07:00 AM

Hi Gordon, Don't know how long ago you left South Africa , but I guess the security aspect has got worse. It is sad, but it has many perks also, at our age now, it is not easy to move, not that we haven't considered it. I am a British citizen and my husband and I could move to Britain, but although we have two properties in South Africa, if we sell them and convert it to Pounds/Euros, it won't work! Poetry hugs, Jenny

Eve Roper

Date: 3/28/2019 8:21:00 PM

Jennifer, it really sounds very unsafe.. Hope you are safe.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/30/2019 2:35:00 AM

Eve , we just have to be extremely vigilant - sometimes one slips up and relaxes and that is when trouble could be lurking. Strange to say but I love living in South Africa, it is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and has inherited the name of The Rainbow Nation, and tourism is at its peak also. Than-you for your comment and concern. Poetry hugs, Jenny.

Rico Leffanta

Date: 3/28/2019 5:53:00 PM

This is your best for some time; well done! Aloha! Rico

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/30/2019 3:17:00 AM

Thank you Rico, my dear friend. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Be safe and hugs, Yasou Jenny

Vijay Pandit

Date: 3/28/2019 5:21:00 PM

I didn't have a clue about the security concerns in your country. You expressed so well how you guard the entry points to keep safe..I guess one gets used to.. over time. Thank you for sharing this life experience, Jennifer. An excellent portrayal of the world we live in.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/30/2019 2:27:00 AM

Hi Vijay, one just has to have their wits around them constantly. We have already been zapped once, but blame ourselves a little as we began closing our security gate too late and the criminals were already in with guns at our heads (Dear Heart's contest). Thank-you for a great comment - poetry hugs, Jenny.

Harry Horsman

Date: 3/28/2019 5:08:00 PM

Oh the grass is not always greener on the other side, Jennifer,,,,This is a excellent poem, of how it is for so many of us today.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/30/2019 1:47:00 AM

It is sad Harry, but as the poor multiply and become poorer and the rich become richer, there is certainly a threat of a world wide revolution between the two! Nowhere on this planet is it safe, and as you so rightly say, the grass is not greener on the other side. Thank your for a wonderful comment and your much valued support Harry, Poetry hugs, Jennifer.

Paul Callus

Date: 3/28/2019 3:43:00 PM

In many cases it is best to face the enemy you know than the one you don't! Unfortunately, wherever one goes there are dangers. Hope your 'fortress-home' will give you the necessary protection to live as best you can. I admire your courage and will to face life regardless of everything. ~ warm regards & hugs // paul

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/29/2019 2:18:00 PM

Hi Paul, I forgot to mention the alarm system we have that is hooked up to a security company with armed response. Well one chooses their bed and so we have to lie in it. It doe have its moments like the Kruger National Park where in fact we feel safer! Thanks for you concerned comment Paul, Poetry hugs, and warm regards, Jenny.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/28/2019 1:41:00 PM

Wow that is frightening Jennifer, You ever thought about moving ? Emigrate to the UK, where I live, it is very peaceful, low crime rate and I'll even take you to Stratford on Avon and show you Shakespeare's house. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/28/2019 2:01:00 PM

Hi Tom, Easier said than done. We have two properties and the market at the moment is really in chaos as we await the results of the elections next month! There isn't any political strife, and hopefully there won't be. We visited Stratford on Avon about 4 years ago. I even have photos in and out of Anne Hathaway's cottage - we loved Stradford on Avon and Bath. we traveled by car through the Yorkshire moors to Edinburgh - loved our trip. Thanks for your concern. Poetry hugs, Jenny.