Feed the birds

You would not treat so lightly a helpless little stray,

a fledgling, small and fragile, got lost upon its way,

you would not think to shut the door and close the poor mite out,

but serve the milk of kindness, of that there is no doubt.

You would not give a second glance to second best, or less,

or pause the while and contemplate why you are safely kept,

as warm and wrapped within your world, you rarely wonder why

what is more precious formed than gold is often left to die.

Thus, still it is, the mother rocks a young child to her breast;

whose belly empty of all hope is not so equal blessed,

whose comfort grows more thin and cold with every passing day

whilst the flicker frame of conscience most looks the other way.

Whose children are these anyway? Who suffer unto him,

their every dream crushed by the hand of mankind's greatest sin;

whose eyes that held the future are now dulled for ever more,

like flotsam tossed indifferent on some cold and distant shore.

And when the night is closing, as clouds blank out the moon,

do you dream of all those little souls sent up to God too soon,

do you sleep in clearest conscience, the task considered done

and think you know the difference from what's lost and what is won.

And we ought never know again the whipcrack of the gun,

the fusing of the atom, the splitting of the sun;

but will we ever learn enough to stay the cruel hand,

or will memory fade, as it ever has, to the shifting of the sand.

Reviews

[CD Campbell]

This is brilliant. I have Kiplings whole poetic collection in one huge volume that I read at least once a day and this reminds me of him to a tee. I love Kipling! Every stanza stands out like a reverberating bugle blast. I'm wondering how long it took to write this and I am very anxious for a repeat. No pressure right? CD

[Lorry]

This has the feel of who are we to judge?, which is quite true, despite it being an almost constant thing we do. Should we say its okay for this one to die but this one to live, or this one to starve and this one to feast, and on what grounds should we judge? Geography, where the farther away from us the less it counts, or some other judgement that we would soon think unfair if we were the one being judged.
We should perhaps stop being so judgemental instead and help more that need help instead. Even if it is only when we can, it is still worth doing.
Or maybe when vote time comes round, we should ask "who are you truly helping? Constituents or self?"
Just because all don't get a fair chance, doesn't mean all don't deserve it.
A well written and thought provoking piece.
I'd vote for you 😊

[Dave Brown]

quite a piece of writing as per your kazillion positive reviews
It reminds me of the story of Grey Owl who changed from being a trapper who killed animals to becoming a naturalist who did the opposite and of the motherless (he killed her trapping) Beaver Kits that he and his partner hand raised
I'm sure you would enjoy the show if you have not already seen it
take care

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Becky… fledglings rest upon the Breast of human kindness where seeds are scattered for Birds of every Song… Colors of the Rainbow 🌈 where Mercy is the Melody 🎶 of Blessings bestowed. Your Poetry has touched the strings of a Violin 🎻 where Music flows. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

It is devastating when you see those pictures of starving children with swollen bellies and a far away look. You know they aren't long for this world. It is gut wrenching and your lines Beccy really hit the emotions hard. This is a very skilled piece of writing. The blame? Firmly in the hands of corrupt governments who even cream off aid money. You can never be sure your donations go where you want them to.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Becky... I do not understand why other countries cannot take care of their people and produce food to nourish them properly. They can be taught to build their own homes and create energy to keep themselves warm in winter and cool in summer. Our country has done so much to fight to keep cruel dictators in check so people can live in peace... Now our country is being invaded because Evil has entered the World and will destroy all we have fought for and may have died. We need to Pray as never before. Amen
truly, Pat

[roarke]

Well done. Each line has strong meaning as well as meter. I like how you build the frame of this thought.

[Tony Jordan]

It takes a village to raise a child, the steadily shrinking world is known as 'the global village' so the children are all our children.
This is moving, of heart and conscience Beccy. Speaks volumes of the poet.

[Dr. Wood ?]

very deep yet completely accessible A fine poem with a powerful message

[Jimmy Yetts]

One elegant piece of poetry.
We are painfully reminded how easily human beings lose focus--become confused as to the order of vital priorities.
Work created by a great soul!

[Terry O'Leary]

Exquisite imagery!! well done!!
Trry