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

[writing mojo]

your observation of the pecking order is brilliant! It's just sad the little chicks have to suffer such tragedy of not fully being able to spread their newly formed wings because of the fight over better ground.. excellent piece

[Terpsichore]

This is a remarkable poem, as good as anything I have read in my time, and again, as with much of your poetry, you give the reader great pause for thought.

'Feed the birds,' indeed we do, but the bellies of a million children still remain empty. T

[Patrick]

Haven't been on for a while but reading this has reminded me why I enjoy writing or reading so much. As a whole it is so powerful. The message is clear. Personally, verse two is my favourite, especially these lines:

You would not give a second glance to second best, or less,
or pause the while and contemplate why you are safely kept,

[jacob erin-cilberto]

damn this is good....we would feed those birds, coddle them, protect them...and then let our children die?

let them fall prey to the ills of the world...?

lots to ponder here...i hope all that is brought up in the last stanza can remain at bay.

you are so natural with your flow...form is flawless...i could never stay within these boundaries and write something half this good.

[Devons]

A tremendously well-written work of poetry. The schematic design and rhythm of the piece seems flawless, and never seems to lose the power of meaning in adherence to it; nor is the language potentially diluted by the squeezing required in order to retain shape. In fact, the meaning and language are balanced very well and delivered proficiently and effectively. It begins on a deceptively light note, yet it gathers strength word by word and line by line, with a snowballing effect. And the meaning and feeling expressed and conveyed within it is immensely poignant, wise and philosophically realist in nature.
"do you sleep in clearest conscience, the task considered done
and think you know the difference from what's lost and what is won."

Those lines are exceptional. This poem is a success.

PS One thing that struck me was the title -that drew me in because it immediately brought to mind the song from Mary Poppins. I think the innocent charm that song recalls contrasted with the substance of this poem really adds something to it somehow.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You are a skilled poetess Beccy and your ability to use different styles and yet be perfect in meter and pace and rhyme and empathy is breathtaking; simply breathtaking.

[Sami Khalil]

I feel the love and compassion in this wonderful poem, the voice of humanity to fly above is the fray and reach its absolute potential in goodness and caring for one another. An excellent write...:)......

[MsJewel]

Wow....this is one of the best poems I've read on this site in a long, long time. The rhythm and rhyme are perfect, the message clear and powerful. You have an amazing talent. I look forward to reading more of your work Beccy

Julie

[Lydia Shutter]

I am blown away by the poetic talent you show in this poem! The rhythm and rhyme are flawless. The compassion, the empathy,and the emotions against war and the horrid atrocities it causes are so powerful. The image of a mother in a war zone trying to feed her babies is enough to bring a person to tears. This one is a masterpiece, Beccy. Lydi**