DEMISE

the starving

Rolling hills of sand endless to the horizon

when the sun is sleepy, sky reveals hues of purple, orange and blue

nights are black, lit only by shimmering stars

the desert is lonesome, devoid, destitute

yet it is also magical, hushed and calm

until a storm, winds whip through, churning sand in funnels

then composes until the sun’s fiery heat breathes down upon the earth

people dwell here under a harsh environment

 

Bloated bellies hollow with hunger, shrouded with pain

weeks without nourishment, a forlorn face with sunken eyes

clutches to his mother’s breast whose milk has dried up

 

An arid landscape, cracked earth begs for rain

to sanction growth to feed its starving people

stench of death in the young and old who plead to survive

too weak to move on

prayers for rain sustenance deteriorates

just like the poor humans whose lives are short

famine is a cycle of a tortuous life and an early death

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Weeping willow]

Wonderfully spoken, the images in your words speak so loud ;-] Nicely done

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much, appreciated
Warmly
B🌷🌷🌷

[Gee]

Has always been the way in varying degrees and will always be so sadly. I remember as if it was yesterday Bob Geldoffs impassioned plea for donations during the band aid concert!
Well written Betty showing your kind heart.
Hope you are well

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Gee
Thank you for a very special review, hope your are well!🌷🌷🌷
Warmlyread moreDear Gee
Thank you for a very special review, hope your are well!🌷🌷🌷
Warmly
B

[emmajoygreen]

The finest words set with utter sincerity and truth start to finish, Betty. Our planet is full of takers that think everything and everyone is there for them. But, come a time they will rot from their own greed, explode, then - like debris, will float forever in their own celestial quagmire.

Ignore the headlines, look to the editorials in the best of the best... if one still has a heart and can do so.

[Betty Hermelee]

Aww…..thanks, really appreciate your sincere review
Em….life is so tough for so many..t’s pitiful
hugs and smiles🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷😊
Warmly, B

[emmajoygreen]

YES, yes and yes, life is so tough for many. Listening to many of the Helpline callers I hear so much stress and sadness, hear so many tales even to desperation slipping in; then need suggest or
continue with referals. I'd never begrudge people for having a good life but, wish they might think more about what is pitiful in our own countries, but hell on earth elswhere.

Your thoughts, deeds and being is far, far more than empathic, dear you.

[Betty Hermelee]

And you as well! My dear Em…. You are so empathetic and help so many who desperately need it🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

[emmajoygreen]

I woke up before I went to sleep earlier.. things being thought, considered. Now using dawn, now wishing it was last night's dusk and could re-start an almost missed process. Perhaps this once, wish i was a caller, Betty. Dear friend.

[Betty Hermelee]

perhaps we would call each other!! that’s how friendship works right? Dear Em…..🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[emmajoygreen]

Has to be, will be. Smiling waves flying space!

[Betty Hermelee]

right on!🌹

[emmajoygreen]

Just sent you a long message and it decided to fly over... sorry! Wishing you and yours everything you wish for as a surprise from a sunny day in Dorset over the ocean but .. thinking of you too. :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Sending smiles and thanks for your comment my dear Em!!!
Warmth and comfort and sun!!!
xo

[Pete]

ouch. title alone is a powerful word. a harsh reality. strong imagery. you start off glorifying it as it quickly turns into a curse. well done and creatively told.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Pete, so true and a great review!
much appreciated, Warmly
B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Thomas W Case]

Superb work. You painted this picture well.

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you Thomas for your kind words
Warmly, B

[Laz K.]

i kind of wanted this poem to go on and reveal some great truth as to "why?"
"why is this happening, and how do we make sense of it? "

but, i guess that's beyond the scope of art whose job is to show what we look at daily but still cannot, will not see.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your thoughtful review!
We were doing something about it until the funds stopped, some private organizations are helping but the death rate is still climbing
Warmly
B🙏

[Richard M]

So sad, but beautifully written. Your poem Betty, is very visual, emotive and sobering. Thank you for your writing and for giving these people a voice.
Richard

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Richard for a very lovey review and much appreciated🌷🌷🌷
Warmly, B

[MCS]

Vivid images your words paint. It's heartbreaking that we have pockets here on earth where this is a daily struggle for our fellow man to deal with. With recent cutbacks, this picture grows bleaker. Great piece of writing.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your generous review;
Such devastation!
Warmly, B

[Sami Khalil]

A good message of empathy you shared with us, stressing the pitfalls and causes of famine.
If humanity can not provide basic meals to humans, we are in big trouble.
We take things for granted but millions are suffering in the world.
Wow!

[Betty Hermelee]

Very true Sami...it's a dark world for these people
Thank you for writing such a thoughtful review
Warmly, B

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome Betty.

[Soren]

Bleak and unforgiving is the setting of this poem with splendid images that paint it well. In such places live the poorest and most desperate and under such harsh conditions grow the toughest who spend what short time they have eking out existence not knowing the difference between agony and normal expectations. Life at its barest. A wonderful depiction on its own it is also a great metaphor for inner self that in some poor souls is just as barren. Wonderful write Betty

[Betty Hermelee]

WOW Soren, a really thoughtful review and so true, it breaks my heart....and probably yours as well, thank you so much
Warmly, B.