Colin Mitchell Williams Poet Free verse

Unforgivable

Unforgivable


There was nothing I could do
Except swallow the guilty mouthful
Taken from their bowl of rice
And chew upon the gristle
Of my add hot water pot noodle

Couldn’t stop the ice clinking
In the glass of my extra chilled white wine
Couldn’t stop me eating
In my clinging to my life

No I couldn’t stop their hunger
Or wipe away their tears
As they picked and ate the peeling paint
From the sides of oil drums

No way to stop the sun
From drying to brittle leaves
No way to halt the madness
Of other peoples greed

Nothing I could do but quench my thirst
And dine with the ugly flies
Clinging around the brown babies eyes

Nothing I could do
But feel my muscles work
Feel the nourishment of bone
While they live as human skeletons

All I could do was sit there
And apologise for the world
All I could do was sit there
And respectfully eat my meal
Adding too much salt so it mingled with my tears
Adding too much mustard
So the food went burning down my throat

I could do nothing else
Except apologise for myself
Sorry for being born in my wealthy world
Sorry for my country
For not rushing to your need
Sorry for my government
My vote helped to bring them in
 
Sorry for the United Nations
Who’s squabbling leaves you starving
Sorry they did not stop the war
That turned you into refugees

And all the weeping mothers
Their desperation in their eyes
Their children no more than rag dolls
Limply hanging from their arms
Their little bloated bodies
Going to join the others 
On the lime dusted piles

All I could do was sit there
And apologise for the world
All I could do was sit there
And say sorry for myself
Sorry for being born in my wealthy world
Each and every mouthful
Was swallowed with a choke
But all I could do was sit there
And respectfully eat my meal




written for Christie Moses and Sharon Weimer's competition "I'm Sorry"

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Michael Jordan July 15, 2009 at 4:45 PM Colin - Congratulations on placing in Christie & Sharon’s contest – I apologize I wasn’t able to congratulate you until now, God Bless, MJ

Debbie Guzzi July 2, 2009 at 6:02 AM So true of so many BUT untrue of so many good hearts also...every daily act of kindness improves the recipient & you & the world..though the 5 horsemen are necessary global regulators no need for you to help them or be one of them......balance..harmony..the goal. Light & Love to a true heart! Congrads on #1

Barbara Gorelick July 1, 2009 at 11:50 PM I have respect for the heart in this poetry. Wonderful win. BG

Sandra Hudson July 1, 2009 at 6:57 PM Much deserved win with this one! Congratulations! Colin!

Carrie Richards July 1, 2009 at 5:42 PM Amazing, heartfelt and so timely....I have had those thoughts...how could it be that I am here, and they are there...in a world so unfair...yes, I too am so sorry, but you put it into words that I could not. Congratulations, this is, for sure,... a winning poem. ~

Raul Moreno July 1, 2009 at 5:08 PM Colin, congrats on your big win in Sharon and Christies Contest...Raul

L'Nass Shango June 4, 2009 at 8:44 PM All right now ... here is compassion in the right place ... here is poetry applauded by grace ... all the best again.

Carolyn Devonshire June 4, 2009 at 1:37 PM This powerful write brought tears to my eyes, Colin. How awful it is to have such thoughts in your head as you "respectfully eat (your) meal." Some people get involved and try to work on behalf of the issues you addressed in this poem, but even their efforts cannot make these problems go away. It would take more unity than we'll ever see among world nations to wipe out poeverty. God bless you, Carolyn

Brandy Megens June 4, 2009 at 1:34 PM so sad and true reality revealed in words spoken by truth i felt this all the way through

Julian Lebaron June 4, 2009 at 1:30 PM Muertos no son los que descansan en la tumba fria, muertos son los que tienen el alma muerta y viven todavia.

Christopher Higgins June 4, 2009 at 12:33 PM This is well written about the plight of the forgotten..yes, we are living in a wealthy nation, blessed with abundance beyond our wildest dreams..the poorest in this country is richer than those in third and fourth world countries....well said.