There were whisperings that awoke
and often haunted the night as surrounding darkness spoke;
a fearful cry of leaving home
saying one last goodbye to all one has ever known;
a mother simply beautiful, a father lean and tall,
children young and small, reaching out in their fearful calls;
some heard the voices from a distance
others ignore them with every fiber of resisitance;
but days and weeks of traveling
revealed persistence and intensity at the gates challenging;
to peer back in time
when the travelers were yours and mine
fulfilling the longing of a distant cry to a homeland goodbye,
only to hear the distant cry revived,
for better lives, more opportunities
understanding, compassion without impunities
to be free,
no longer a refugee.
THE TRAP
The trap is open, with the bait arguing out
Its immunity with the victim somewhere
In a world that flashes its sharpened sword
To cut across all those rock-hard impunities
You petulant preacher comment not on that,
Count your days instead and collect your doom
Mouth craving, head reeling, you are a sluggard
You, the evening's fever on night’s forehead.
I might trip once more into the trap of birth
No guide is looked for, no wisdom is sought
May be I'm a harlequin too wise for all this
Go slow with your game. I'm no more fair game.
Be sure that fine- honed day is waiting to flash
In a ready demonstration of how to slash.
For Charlotte's 'Free for All' contest