Refuge

We don't know how lucky we are.

The corrugated roof is red rusted.

It is a sad place where poor people reside,

with leaning windowless walls.

The acid rain drips down inside in spring

and floods the floors in winter.

Summer brings hot, breathless,

sweating heat, as parched lips

pray for forgiveness

and mercy.

The wind howls through

each gap,

causing sleepless foetal postures,

as the only refuge

from the hunger

and the fear

and despair

is sleep.

 

23/03/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear John... I worry about all the wonderful children and people who
are permitted to come into our country, (along with evil intentioned people).
The people in power who are doing nothing to improve the Control of who
enters will be affected as well as their loved ones. What are they thinking?
truly, Pat

[John Alexander McFadyen]

In this day and age we could hardly raise the drawbridge Pat so we need to accept the inevitable and hope that communities self regulate. I live in Leicester where in the city you are a minority if you are caucasian. The New Zealant attrocity has shown Muslims they are not alone or despised as a religion. Many thanks for reading.

[Beccy]

It seems the gap grows bigger by the day. So much suffering, yet so much surplus that simply goes to waste.

It vexes me that our species is unable, (or perhaps more accurately, unwilling,) to balance the scales.

Beccy.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes you are right Beccy. Many thank yous.

[Coyote Poetry]

I was born, very poor. Made me work harder to ensure my family could succeed. Hard world for many. separating of rich and poor. Much wider than yesterday. Powerful and useful words written Neville.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Neville is again on my shoulders lol! But thanks anyway Coyote John

[Coyote Poetry]

You did well my friend and you are welcome.

[Lydia Shutter]

It's a heartbreaking scene you depict through your words, John. It's true, we do not appreciate the things we take for granted every day. Many people in the world would think we live in paradise. A nice reminder. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A scene played out in far too many places on earth Lydi. Many thanks.

[Paul Bell]

Britain is not a nice place to sleep rough.
Used to sleep outside for different reasons, never liked that either.
Not sure if we've lost the caring touch in Britain. Maybe we should stop fixing the rest of the world and fix our own.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I agree Paul and think you may be right. Take care of our own and that teaches them to care for others.

[TheSuffering]

I am happy that I inspired this.
Are there famous poets that write about these sorts of things?
By the way, it is amazing!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I thank you dear poet. Famous poets write about everything I am certain. Most of us will never be famous though as we are simply writing out our emotions.

[TheSuffering]

Since I came to poetry from philosofy, I don't really know how it works at all. xD
But yeah, it's amazing that I found this website.
It's comforting to read others writings too.
You sort of find a little peace of yourself in almost each one of the writings.