Body Parts

This was a test poem for a University course that did not capture the essence or power of what I was trying to say. However this is a true event and deserves some kind of reportage.

Autumn picture, an English country house:

sipping tea by the fireside, two ladies,

with eloquent language, perfect gossip,

'Mrs Jones did THAT to Mr Smith',

unsuspecting, uncaring of another world.

 

Loving mother, daughter, sister, respectful son,

brother, father, left for chance discovery, breathing

cut, short. skull rolls, revolution of horror,

deep into darkness, eyes stare, lips lost,

ears stop hearing.

 

Incantations tell of good health, fortune

 

sunset orange merges with pink, a torso,

crimson blood stained ground, no longer

sacred, trees pretend to be dead, undergrowth

mutilated by struggle, intestines ripped, breasts lay

life removed, only flies feed.

 

Incantations tell of great power, strength,

 

children scream in terror, feet stand alone,

no longer connected, genitals crushed,

mixed with herbs, some potions have secrets

animal skin sangoma believe, muti, mutilation,

murder satisfys.

 

Incantations tell of

 

butchered ritual, police suspicion, evidence

growing around the world, investigation so difficult,

driven underground, until voices speak, tongues

that save, wanting justice not wealth, protection

for the innocent.

 

...............

 

'They took me home, left me in front of my father's house.

as they left, I heard them say they are going to sell my

parts so they can get money"

 

Jeffrey Mkhonto who had his genitals removed. BBC news

02/04/02

Reviews

[Red Raven]

This is such a heart wrenching story told in such a beautiful way. Thank you for sharing gary...
- 'children scream in terror, feet stand alone,

no longer connected, genitals crushed,

mixed with herbs, some potions have secrets

animal skin sangoma believe, muti, mutilation,

murder satisfys.'

This is awesome. Congratulation!

[Tara]

I thinks its perfect really captures.

[mjsalyers]

Rather dark and disturbing. I Love It! It does however remind me of a song by Waylon Jennings and Fenixicon called " I Found The Body" but I think your poem is better

[Mai L Nissen]

I don't know what your aspiration for this poem was, but it definitely captured me!
The contrast of worlds that you convey in the beginning is suitable as a build up of the cruelty of the other world. Despite its heartbreaking contents it is written with in a relatively ethereal manner. It works!

[Olivia]

I really like your writing style, it makes the story so beautiful in a really screwed up way. :)

[Gummy.G]

My goodness, for some reason this entices me. The eager vividness you've given is just gratifying.

[Gummy.G]

My goodness, for some reason this entices me. The eager vividness you've given is just gratifying.

[Donald Meikle]

What on earth were you trying to say that this didn't capture it?
What standards do English tests use now?
Trees pretend to be dead
Tea time in another world indeed.
Yes it needed to be said.

[junaid altaf]

simply exceptional.....
well composed

[Opheliaravenlove]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Wonderful imaganitive