Neglect

Tied to a rotting street sign.
A murky brown puddle-
accumulated from rain dripping
off his shivering underbelly-
to drink, gratefully.
Windows too high to see into.
Just brick upon brick.
A coarse rope,
permanently indenting,
so short he can't move
or bend round to lick wounds.
He stands limp, stationary-obediant.

But I see none of this.
Nor the desperate eyes
imploring me to stop.
Following my steps around,
ignoring the rope pressing
hard into his thin neck.
I notice none of this
because I don't look down.

I walk past-unflinching,
content in my ignorance.

Reviews

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Terrible to think that we miss so many small details but bring in our own worlds- could change the world if we just took time to notice a bit more at times- life passes us by- poor little dog hope he was ok..lovely writing makes one think🌹

[.]

Multi-dimensional this one.......it can take various forms; the neglected dog tied to a lamp post, the neglected man tied to his bottle and homelessness...

For all our grandstanding and perceived political correctness the true tragedy is so much abuse, neglect and violence still remains to stain the fabric of our society. Until we dare to look down at that pavement and do more than just look on with sad despondence, only then will we begin to change attitudes and lives for the better.

Your poem is shining a light on a real modern societal issue and is written with some wonderful imagery and description. Very nicely conceived.

[Emma]

Thank-you so much for the brilliant comment, I had in mind chosen ignorance concerned with witnessing bullying or other personal experiences, but seeing it as a societal issue, especially concerning the increasing commonness of homeless people is a great interpretation, and I'm sure if I lived in a city this would be a shocking everyday reality for me to see.

[.]

Indeed it is. And now I can also see your viewpoint in the poem, myself. Bullying, both in reality and in the cyber world is a growing menace. And it sits well within this poem. Well Done for tackling a tough issue.

[Sami Khalil]

"I notice none of this
because I don't look down.

I walk past-unflinching,
content in my ignorance."

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! We do witness a lot of crimes and tragedies in life but some ignore them and others spring into action to stop them. It is neglect indeed when we don't feel that need and become selfish in the process.
You write deeply.

[Emma]

Thankyou, you have got exactly what I was trying to say, as we are so quick to judge other people's evil deeds, yet don't see that our lack of intervention to alter them-when we are capable-is in some ways worse than the crime itself.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. I totally agree. What a masterful poem with a great subject. I'm wondering if other poets are not understanding it for you should get millions of reviews.