Of Needle and Red

218 million child labourers in the world

1 in 7 children around the world are child labourers

Families in poverty cannot afford to send their children to school

children grow up without basic skills and education

Every year 22,000 children die in work related accidents

Children trafficked into one form of labour may be later sold into another, as with girls from rural Nepal, who are recruited to work in carpet factories but are then trafficked into the sex industry over the border in India.

Where are you buying your Christmas presents this year?

Of Needle and Red

Father Christmas screamed

“What the f*****g hell do you think you're doing?”

elves gawped up in fright

bones shivering muscles tight

knuckles ground into white

concentrate

create,create,create

in, out, in, out, in, out........

years of hundred weight betrayal

Eyes trapped in sorrow

slaughtered fingertips blossom

while delicate minds

weave weave weave

collapsing dreams leave

pressed into unyielding cloth

sewing steadily as sun dies

cold moon brays indignation

suffering of a mighty nation

in this no win situation

Father Christmas stomps

his jowl swinging in pomp

grunting woeful utterings

as little hearts plummet

shadows cling to walls

stomach rumbles, nature calls

never dare raise a voice

or have a tiny thought

as bitter looms stress

nimble fingers with needles bleed

for greed

work was work was work

many hungry mouths to feed

a family, but no flowering seeds

older elves dispersed, some time ago

sold they heard, a virgin worth her salt

moved on, all used up

what a way to go

Unable to greet words

what is their worth

in this unforgiving, forgotten world

Push the needle in, out, in, out

shed not a tear, utter not a sound,

in, out, in, out, in,,out

not a frown as faces remain blank

mummy had no wedding dress

forget the Sunday bloody best

clumsiness, drowsiness, idleness,

were options repressed

                                valueless

aching for a moment of tenderness

from life of permanent dread

tired loom folds

while he scolds

and elves souless

journey to the inevitable end.

Breath of his exasperation

sweat of his aggravation

It had to be ready

had to be streets ahead

word to the wise

time to capitalize

on his appetising carpet

of needle and red

stock stock stock

ticking of the clock

at this rate he'd never get to bed.

He raised his fist in rage and screamed...............

“What the f*****g hell do you think you're doing?”

Reviews

[Nobody.]

it's ugly....your shoes, shirts, beads, FLAGS are being made by little children in unsafe places, in filthy living conditions and under severe mental and physical duress. I was almost arrested in China when I happened on one of these places on vacation. I began shouting and became so....outraged that I had no control over myself. If not for a friend dragging me back to our hotel kicking and screaming....I'd probably be sitting in a cell right now. I've also seen some of those young kids being 'recruited' in Africa for 'sensual arts' jobs. It's disgusting. Damn those in this world who believe it is okay! Damn them!

Great write. Reality bites hard!

[Lachenille Papillion]

I read this piece while I was away, and knew I'd have to come here when I reactivated my account next. You bring your mind, your heart, and your soul to your words... nothing goes beyond that as a writer... you see with open eyes and share the vision complete, and worry not about showing your own reaction to such a view... you will change something, maybe many somethings, for some one by the light you shed here in the darkness... I caress your spirit for that, Bubo... for that is not an easy thing to do these days, otherwise more would do it... hugs

[RTB]

strong strong poem pictures add to the intense feeling of suffering on their behalf we thank u for ur writing r.i.p to those who suffer good write thank u

[GTVile]

Way to bring out the harsh realities of life and force them down people's throats. I like that you do that. I wish more people would. Force people to see life for what it really is. No one wants to do that anymore because people are afraid of seeing it for themselves!

[R. Relative]

Harsh facts cannot be distilled by anything less then action. This is truly a very deep write and your words are easy to follow as my own train of thought. Which decreases from the emotion outpour one feels when realising whats actually going on in this poem. Great piece, though I need a pick up after this one. Bravo!

[dovetailer]

"Wow....what a great price for a linen tablecloth...look at all the beautiful embroidery...how can they possibly sell it for this price?" That's as deep as we get...or as interested...there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world...assuming, of course that we get lunch...or dinner...and yet...we never question...or care...none of us realize the reason we can buy a great shirt from Bass Pro Shop for $12.99 or a rug from IKEA for $39.99...
All this for a buck? Imagine...
But as you so eloquently write here...it's a buck and a life...some child's life blood...we never consider how it all happens yet alone why...we never count the REAL cost...just the cost to us...
"$29.99 for an EMBROIDERED linen tablecloth? I'll take two"

Wonderfully written call to arms...amazing in its craft and sickening in its content...from now on I'm going naked...

[Sweet_pale_cacophony]

It is sad but it is a fact that child labor is indeed very much prevalent in India..the country i come from..I love your compassionate and courageous voice,you always take up issues which get lost in rubble of papers and are very much required to be given a voice..just as you have today.

[Psycho-delic Shawn]

This one just tears me apart, Bubo. Not only for the fact of what is happening beyond walls of complacency, but because it takes a writing like this for me to care again. Too many times we walk about with indifference toward the worlds plight. And it is that same indifference that allows these atrocities to remain. I will work to keep active sympathy in my heart. Thank you, Bubo.

[Van Mark]

I can see why this is a popular piece.
As heartbreaking as this is to read, (and the pictures make it no more pleasant)
it is very well executed, and the message is crystal clear.
I'm glad I took the time to read this, and I'm glad you took the time to write it.

[We are young.]

This is completley heartbreaking, but u exspressed it very passionetley very well.

[Kerry O'Connor]

Thank you for raising the anguished human cry of the children, on whom the world has turned a deaf ear. This strikes to the heart and should be compulsory reading for slave owners the world over.