Cages

Cages

A Poem by Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
"

In our silence we give consent to the cruelty put upon others. No nation whose foundation is based on diversity and acceptance should ever be apathetic and indifferent to the child seeking home.

"
Cages

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 


"Not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by 
offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human
memory. And in denying their humanity we betray our own."

-American Jewish writer and holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel 



I am haunted by pleading eyes of a child
They cast upon me behind cold steelbars
Seeking comfort and recognition of humanity 
Disillusioned, frail, and devoid of childlike wonder. 

In their eyes I am taken back to Sunday mass
Years past where voice speaks in shroud of white
"Care for the stranger as you would your brother 
For loving the least, you will have loved the greater."

I am haunted by saddened eyes within cages
Small little hands pressed against callous metal
Voices too soft and strained from tears to be heard.
Silent cries yearning for humane embrace.

"When you needed shelter I gave you a home.
And when you were sad I comforted you.
when you were abandoned I took you into my arms."

I am haunted by the faces of children in cages 
the same eyes as a child behind barbed wire at Auschwitz 
The same eyes as a native child on the trail of tears
The same eyes as a child in a Japanese internment camp
The same eyes as a child born into slavery

"Trust not the laws of man for only God knows truth
You shall be judged by the wickedness of your heart
For I am in the leper, in the beggar, in the stranger
And In the child."

I am haunted 
I am haunted 
I am haunted

I am.

© 2021 Carlos Lorenzo Estrada


Author's Note

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
Feel free to leave your thoughts and many thanks for taking the time to read this work. I truly appreciate it.

My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register




Reviews

This poem really hit me hard. It really made me think about how people often ignore the children who were born and lived through such horrors. It makes us remember that children weren't exempt from the cruelty of wars and inhumane actions committed by adults, and still aren't today. Loved reading it :)

Posted 2 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

2 Years Ago

Thank you Amal, for your thoughts on this poem. That is exactly what these words hope to convey. Tha.. read more
this stuff is really really deep.....it makes me think too much....I can be called guilty of not caring enough for others....cause I have so much trouble caring for myself....nothing but trouble.....but I would think that common decency should be the rule....have a great day Carlos....stars and smiles atcha✨🙂

Posted 2 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

2 Years Ago

I totally agree Jeff it is a pretty deep write and has quite a bit going on. Though at its heart it .. read more
This poem has such powerful messages. One that history repeats its self. The innocent and vulnerable continue to be abused. I picture the immigrant children in cages placed there by respectable?So called christ followers. Love the Bible refences because how can you argue against the truth. Christ said the second commandent was to love one another like he loved us.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

2 Years Ago

Thank you Emeraldheart for commenting on this poem. You are correct this is meant to ask those of fa.. read more
What a haunting, breathtaking, real piece. It's heart-wrenching, a punch to the gut, but honest. Because it's such a real thing that's happening and the way you put your words together to demonstrate this, is chilling. There's so much wisdom and thoughtfulness in this piece. The time when kids could play outside, hell, it's hard for even woman to be out alone and I'm certain men, too. The last line, 'I am,' really settles the poem, gives you one last kick to the heart and leaves you with the revelation that, yes, these things are happening and real, and just because many other people may be safe in their homes, plenty people aren't- and plenty of those people are children. Thank you so much for sharing such a thought-provoking peace.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

2 Years Ago

Thank you Colacat for your thoughts on this poem. It was a difficult write but its message I so valu.. read more
beautiful thought provoking haunting poem
thanks for writing this for the plight of our innocent children in war and in our silent war on vacinnation on kids. (and adults)

Posted 2 Years Ago


I miss the world when children can freely play outside. The poem resonates what is currently happening in the world today. Wonderful poem.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

2 Years Ago

Thank you Jasmin for your thoughts on this poem. I truly appreciate it.
This is a haunting piece. I have read about the Holocaust but this poem transports me to the actual place and your choice of children as the main subject in this poem pierces my conscience and awareness.
To be honest, it unsettles me. And that is good! Thank you for a soul-shattering piece.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

2 Years Ago

Thank you for leaving your thoughts on this piece. I feel every artist should strive to touch the re.. read more
Hi, Carlos. I read this poem the other afternoon and have allowed myself some space to think before speaking about it. I too am haunted by the understanding and as your quote expresses--the ways we can be collectively blind to the sufferings of others. I appreciated, most, the way you alluded to the scriptures because I feel so much of the connection to the edicts of Christ have been lost in modern religion. I hesitate to point to some better time in the past because I don't think it realistically exists--humans have always misused religious teachings, misinterpreted them or selectively followed them. But we can hope that someday the full force of Christ's words will strike our hearts and we will see them clearly. One doesn't have to be a believer to love others as the self. And indeed it is shown time and again that being a believer in anything does not mean you understand the teachings. Thank you for this sensitive plea and reminder that we have a responsibility to others. In these times where the onslaught of trouble seems never-ending, it is still so important to remember we are fortunate in many ways we take for granted. Like the freedom of movement and self-determination--which many have had taken from them. This is powerful poetry.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

2 Years Ago

Thank you Ellis for such an insightful response which means a lot to me. I am agnostic and not part .. read more

First Page first
Previous Page prev
1
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

223 Views
24 Reviews
Rating
Added on September 15, 2021
Last Updated on September 15, 2021
Tags: love hope faith brotherhood

Author

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

salinas , CA



About
If I can say something worth saying that makes just one person think about others...I'll try. The greatest storyteller was my grandmother. I miss her stories. Also, I would like to add to please pay.. more..

Writing

Related Writing

People who liked this story also liked..


Yesterday Yesterday

A Poem by wordman





Advertise Here
Want to advertise here? Get started for as little as $5