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Landfill Harmonic Dedication Poem

My pulse quickened
As tears streamed down my face
I felt my soul race
Notes rising from discarded bits
Yanked out of plastic bags
from decaying pits
Skin sun baked and bleeding splits
Garbage, hand formed into instruments
So that these deaf ears might trace
The spectacle of true dignity
that poverty can't erase 
Theirs is a world far removed
from manicured lawns and lace

Strings and frets 
Oil cans and pipes
Found amongst the baby wipes
by people painted in scarlet stripes
By society treated like a disease
Some how finding music 
from coins cans and keys

Music resonates 
From a place with few trees
Pouring forth from polluted streams
People like these
sort out opportunities
that no one else 
would ever think to seize

There, a young girl
takes a tin violin in hand
She's transported to a magical land
White beaches and sand
Now symphonic dreams 
are hers to command 
Each chord played
feels like possibility
A fret held bridge  
to a different reality
She kisses a star 
Transcends their invisibility

Fruit tins and bent cookie sheets
An X-ray film to create a drum beat
People from around the world
Rise to their feet
Still the ones at home
Don't have enough to eat
Let us practice compassion
Repeat, repeat!
Rise from our seat
Think beyond privilege
In our land of the elite

The ones called "Garbage Pickers"
the low of the low
Moving in harmony quick and slow
What we hear and see
Will it cause our hearts grow?
Do we feel life's rhythm and flow? 
For, from what others have discarded
they have something to show
Winds of change are coming
Waters rising
Watch listen and see 
where the notes of change blow!


Dedicated to the people of Paraguay who work in the Garbage Dump of Cateura.
Check out the documentary "Landfill Harmonic".


Not entered in any contest.
Written March 9th 2016

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Kim Merryman

Date: 7/14/2016 9:52:00 PM

A powerful, moving write, Richard! Congrats on your placement in the contest!

Carol Eastman

Date: 7/14/2016 10:09:00 AM

There will be no garbage pickers here in St. Louis. They buried radioactive waste in our city dump... which has since caught fire and is getting close to the radioactive waste... Government and clean up sources seem to be unwilling to go in and dig it up. Everyone has been draging their feet for years! What a mess!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/14/2016 10:26:00 AM

That's terrible! Sorry to hear that Carol.

Weston Gregory

Date: 4/4/2016 8:09:00 PM

Such imagery in this piece a real piece

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/21/2016 4:11:00 PM

very interesting what you have done here and how much work you put into this very thoughtful poetry. I can imagine them sifting through it all. (one man's trash, another's treasure) it is such a shame to think of what we waste when so many need these things we throw away. WEll done, Richard.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/21/2016 9:35:00 PM

Thanks Andrea, do check out the U-tube video.

Casarah Nance

Date: 3/11/2016 5:26:00 PM

wow. just wow. you really know how to make the reader think about any subject even ones that are not familiar to them. You are awesome Rick. Hugs xxx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/11/2016 8:12:00 PM

Thanks Casarah, coming from a talent like you the comment is appreciated. Hugs Rick.

Lin Lane

Date: 3/11/2016 4:22:00 AM

I have seen the documentary and it made me feel guilty over that we take for granted. You've written about this issue is a clear message. Well done, Rick.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/11/2016 8:13:00 PM

Thanks Lin.;0)

Timothy Hicks

Date: 3/11/2016 12:35:00 AM

Not familiar with the documentary. But your observations of the less fortunate are hard to deny. A friend of mine once visited Thailand and she was amazed by how happy the children were over there ... despite living in cardboard boxes, with barely a penny to their name. It is as you say ... "People like these sort out opportunities that no one else would think to seize." There is more to cherish, when you have less.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/11/2016 8:14:00 PM

That can be true, relationships play a larger role when you must depend on your neighbor.

Harry Horsman

Date: 3/10/2016 4:33:00 PM

Yes while the supermarkets, of the wealthy counties discard tons upon tons of food every evening time, other as you write in this your awesome awareness poem have to scramble for the left overs... Poems like this need to written Richard..

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/11/2016 8:14:00 PM

Thanks so much Harry!

Nette Onclaud

Date: 3/10/2016 1:06:00 PM

astonishing observation of a slice of life, rich!... you uplift!..huggs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/11/2016 8:15:00 PM

Thanks and hugs back to you Nette.

Paul Callus

Date: 3/10/2016 9:30:00 AM

Excellent, Richard! What a creative way to tackle this topic! I have seen documentaries dealing with this, but will now go and check out "Landfill Harmonic". ~ Regards // paul

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/11/2016 8:16:00 PM

Pretty amazing isn't it Paul. Thanks for adding your positive comment.

Eve Roper

Date: 3/9/2016 10:41:00 PM

This is wonderful, I saw where there was a river formed of garbage down the streets of Lebanon: 'River of trash' chokes Beirut suburb as city's garbage crisis continues :'( very sad .

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/9/2016 11:17:00 PM

Thanks Eve, look up Landfill Harmonic, you will be amazed.

Constance La France

Date: 3/9/2016 9:19:00 PM

Richard, this skillfully penned write truly touched my soul, it really makes one think about the things that end up in the garbage, the waste in this society, 7~

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/9/2016 9:41:00 PM

Thanks Constance, check out Landfill Harmonic on line, it's amazing!

Red Fiery

Date: 3/9/2016 7:08:00 PM

Such a thought provoking poem...! I will definitely watch the documentary...your poems are truly remarkable...my fav lines from this piece.''.Rise from our seat Think beyond privilege In our land of the elite''

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/9/2016 7:36:00 PM

Thanks Red, I always enjoy your visits! Hugs Rick.