living like Peter

inspired by http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Caroline77/1823229

A beach side restaurant
in Brasil.
a last night
out for the girls.
I remember their light --
three kids,
no shoes,
a cardboard scrap in hand.
Asking for left overs
from the local tourists.
We invited them in
to the great chagrin
of the management
who didn't have courage
to say no to dollars American.
Such simple joy
at bottles of soda
would make a heart break.
Their effort with the utensils
was valiant,
but plainly frustrating.
So we abandoned ours
and joined in,
both hands,
laughing ...
explaining,
that we don't eat pizza
with a fork and knife
back home, either ...
as the staff turned away,
in disgust,
refusing to acknowledge
the table
of barbarians.

Author's Note

this poem isn't near as good as the poem that inspired it. Visit alittlepain.

Reviews

[Ana Papaya]

The poem is very touching and I've had similar experiences.
I heard this song on the radio and loved it! I wasn't sure who it was by...

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you. It was inspired by alittlepain's Life on the Ward. I appreciate it. And yes, I love this song, I knew it because of the kids.

[Lorry]

Says a lot about how divided society is all over the world. Tourist destinations the world over have the same things, beautiful scenery, upmarket accommodation and a rich and poor divide that is a chasm. Sometimes, we should just be grateful that we can afford the luxury of seeing these places, and if treating people like the human beings they are is unacceptable, then maybe it should be those who are disgusted by it that should remember they are the lucky ones to have a restaurant so they don't end up on the streets too.
This write proves my point KL, you can be taught goodness and kindness, but some just know goodness and kindness effortlessly. We are all equal, millionaire or beggar, neither gets us a free pass in life.
Beautiful words my friend.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you, I appreciate it. In a place like Brasil, the people who live there are brought up to look down on the poor. It is sad, and some break free of that prejudice, but some, do not.

[Lorry]

Same world, just feels like a different planet.

[Lydia Shutter]

The compassion in this write is overwhelming. When we travel, we always try to buy a meal or something sweet to eat for the children on the street. It is not what the cafe owners like, that's for sure....however, it is something that we keep with us forever and I am certain the children do too. Beautiful in words and deeds, KL. Lydi**

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you for kind words. On one trip down town, I gave all my money away. I didn't have enough money to take the bus home. Luckily, a white tourist has no problem getting on the bus for free. I do hope those boys remember us. I hope they got out of the slums. I hope the people who owned and worked at the restaurant learned a little compassion. One thing I learned in Brasil is that happiness is a state of mind, not measured by the things you have.

[Lydia Shutter]

You are 100% right, KL. Lydi**

[aLittlePain]

Good lord....you just churned that out? That's incredible KL, that's boss right there!

[aLittlePain]

FYI, I love this piece it opens with deceptive romanticism only to get some real talk happening! Great message

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. That is one of my most powerful memories of Brasil from 1988. That's the way I write -- only form poetry makes me write and rewrite -- from thought to page. Noel HC used to challenge and time me. I miss him around here. He was fun and always got me going ...