Notes About The Poem

No author's notes are necessary for this poem. It says exactly what it needs to say. (Gary Bateman - June 20, 2018) (Political Verse)

Thematic Categories: America, Anger, Angst, Discrimination, Heartbreak, Introspection, and Symbolism.

 

The Little Children Are Crying

The Little Children are Crying
 
Of recent sad occurrence—
At the southern border of the USA
In prescribed DHS detention centers,
Little refugee children are crying
For their mothers and fathers—
From whom they had been cruelly taken
And caged like mere animals,
Full of tears, fears, and horrifying sadness
All at the capricious and unchristian whim
And quoted-biblical-certitude of the
Pied Piper’s chief law enforcement officer,
The U.S. Attorney General,
Known by his Pied Piper-given moniker as
“Mr. Magoo.”

Mr. Magoo’s wondrous quote from
The Holy Bible
Unfortunately—
Is the same one historically cited
In previous years 
As a vaunted justification for
“Slavery in America.”

Maybe Mr. Magoo will be awarded
With a seat one day on the
U.S. Supreme Court—eh??
For his vast juridical knowledge and prowess,
And command of the Holy Bible—eh??
Anything is possible in the realm of
The Pied Piper. 

And all the while during this time—
The little children are still crying
And remain caged on the 
Southern border,
And separated from their parents,
As the Pied Piper
And his merry-prankster advisers
Continue their pathetically-fine
Tuned and crafted
Rhetoric of ranting and raving
About helpless people in their time of greatest need
Who wish to seek asylum in the United States.

Yes, unfortunately we’ve all been here before.
The Pied Piper and his Gang
Thrive religiously on playing the “Blame Game,”
That is, blaming others for these immigration policies,
Whilst continuously lying and denying,
And distorting the facts to suit their ultimate goals and aims.

This is all very sad to see and to write about.
It really is.

And it’s also quite disgusting and very un-American
To see little children and older children
Ripped from the very arms of their mothers and fathers.

Where is the compassion, mercy, and sympathy?? 

We as a people are better than this—
Or at least we should be!!

The whole world is watching.
Will we continue to be a vibrant democracy—
Or shall we welcome in a new reign of illiberal democracy??

Regardless, the little children are crying
And remained caged along with older children
While being separated from their parents.

And during this whole time . . . 
Lady Liberty in New York Harbor
Cries for these children and the others too,
While bowing her head in shame!!

We can and must do better than this!!

God Bless the United States of America.

Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved
June 19, 2018 (Political Verse)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Duet Avatar
July 22, 2018 at 3:17 PM
Yes, yes, and yes! It's sickening and shameful and totally un-American for sure. I never thought I would see the day when we would do such cruel things to refugees seeking asylum here in the land of the free. Lady Liberty weeps as. she collapses in a sea of fear and prejudice and we weep with her
Bateman Avatar
July 22, 2018 at 3:28 PM
Hello Carole, Yes -- your are right for sure!! I see of this president's sins from afar over here in Germany. Pathetic!! His treatment of all immigrants and their children is heartless and cruel. He's made a gigantic mess of everything over here with NATO and the EU. I cry too with Lady Liberty. This not the USA I was born and raised in!! Dump the Pied Piper Now!! Best, Gary
Curtis Avatar
June 26, 2018 at 7:16 AM
When troubled by world events ,I look to the scriptures for guidance Romans 13:1 - Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. I Timothy 2:1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Bateman Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 1:50 PM
Hello Jerry, Thanks for your comments here and for the biblical references. We all must pray for common decency and humanity to all. There is presently an over-abundance of hate-filled rhetoric in society today that's not helping this difficult situation. It's a very difficult time for sure. Responsible leadership must start at and come from the top. From the results presently, it's clear that this in not happening. Hope for the best. God Bless, Gary
One Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 2:41 PM
I agree with what you say Gary.. I wonder how much more damage Trump can do... This man has no morals, unless you are Israel.. Powerful poem..
Bateman Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 4:54 PM
Amen to what you say here Silent!! Trump has indeed done much is his nearly two years in office to drive modern democracy and good governance practically back to the Stone age. The destruction and degradation of key western alliances, the G-7, the International Climate Change Agreement, Human Rights support, and various international and regional trade agreements are quite telling in the scope and effect they portend for the future. It's like he's purposely trying to push the western alliance back to the bleak times of the 1930s. And we all know what happened there later. Yes, he has no morals and is intellectually dishonest and shallow – not a true free world leader for the 21st century. Best, Gary
Andresen Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 1:27 PM
- Hey Gary - Just by reading the title ... I get goosebumps ... it was terrible to hear the children crying ... - Yes, the whole world sees these pictures ... nevertheless, nobody says STOP !!!!! - A powerful writing, dear friend (fav) - Nobody has the right to "play" with someone's life ... children or adults !!!! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Bateman Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 1:45 PM
Hello Dear Anne-Lise!! Thanks for your read and your words here -- and for the FAVE!! (I will always treasure a FAVE from you!!) Yes, for sure, Mr. Trump is totally out of control. I just called one of my U.S. Senator's office in Washington, DC (Senator Bob Corker) today about Trump's despicable policies toward the immigrants down south and their little children and babies. Monstrous, evil, wicked, and totally unacceptable are the Pied Piper's mindless actions against these helpless people who are seeking political asylum. All terrible indeed. Best Wishes from Ingrid and me!! Gary
Mcdaid Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 7:19 AM
smiling your heart feels the pain of these little ones separated from their families excellent pen god bless you always pal
Bateman Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 1:07 PM
Hello Liam Mate!! Thanks for your kind thoughts here. The notion that the Pied Piper and his Henchmen have perpetrated this whole unnecessary mess is very sad, and is quite galling as well. America deserves better than this, and so does the rest of the world. Mr. T would not have looked too kindly on my distant Irish relatives in my mother's family who first came to America and settled there in 1840. Mistreatment of children is pure evil and cowardice rolled into one. Thanks again Liam Mate!! Best Wishes to your family, and tell Maureen her Green Leprechaun is thinking of her!! Cheers and Best, Gary
Pandit Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 6:50 AM
A very powerful poem you wrote Gary. The sentiments you expressed reverberate throughout our nation..the sad part is that there is an easy solution, but insanity rules the moment for now. Your reference to Lady Liberty is so apt..well done friend.
Bateman Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 12:58 PM
Hello Vijay My Friend!! I really appreciate your dropping by to take a read of my latest political verse here Mr. Trump. (I've written a few other earlier poems on him as well, as you probably already know." "Insanity" does rule for the moment. I expect that he will start getting some direct challenges in the future if the Democrats gain control of the Congress in Nov 2018. We will see what happens. Without trade treaties and its traditional allies, America, due to Trump's policies will be without its traditional worldwide support. A very sad prospect indeed. His treatment of immigrants, regardless of country, is shameful and does not represent the historical values of the USA. Best Always, Gary
Cunningham Avatar
June 19, 2018 at 11:51 PM
Well said Gary, that sort of thing belongs in the past something all countries have been guilty of. Tom
Bateman Avatar
June 20, 2018 at 3:14 AM
Amen, Tom!! I really appreciate your read and comment here. Trump, aka "The Pied Piper" along with his band of incompetent henchmen is playing with fire with certain very important foreign and domestic issues and many others. There is certainly no place in the great American democracy for this type of demonization of people of any race, and for their terrible hate-filled language. As a retired U.S. military veteran living in Europe, I am particular appalled by all of this. The Pied Piper and His Gang make the USA look ridiculous!! Cheers and Best, Gary
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