The Gentrification of Genocide

We stand accused!

The Gentrification of Genocide

Guided missiles,

Exocets set to destroy

without compunction.

Barrel bombs

full of metal confetti

rain upon Syrian children.

Smart weapons

in calloused hands,

are mere video games

to some.

But I will not

drone on about it.

Starvation is

the only charity

in war torn,

drought ridden

East Africa

and Yemen.

No one really cares,

or stands before the tanks.

Life is too short,

too narrow,

too privileged.

We see ourselves impotent

to all the waging of wars,

the epidemics,

the hunger.

It overwhelms us in our cosy,

suburban lives.

And so we blank it out,

airbrush it away

as we concern ourselves

with the mundaneness

of our existence

here on earth.

  

03/04/17

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Powerful words, John. Not sure I agree we "airbrush it away". We see it on the news and we know what is happening. We see the gory details. Some of do care. Some of us do try to help. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Lydi. I agree some do help but a very small minority. The rest are too consumed with daily life.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this poem spawned a conversation just now between me and one of my office mates...an Art teacher---we just feel so saddened by all of this...and wish our country didn't embark on the kind of weaponry and attacks that we are doing...
no longer the kinder, gentler nation.

this poem is a powerful thought provoker.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I guess many of us feel the same but feel powerless to act. Many thanks Jacob.