But for the Grace of God fr M lady Jude

narrative verse

 

 

But for the grace of God

 

Suspiciously she stands and stares

at every passing strangers face.

She is convinced that no one cares,

 the world to her a hostile place.

 

She has no place to call her own,

 nowhere to rest her weary head.

She has to face the world alone

 and each new day she views with dread.

 

She was brave enough to defy

the marriage plans her parents had.

To wed her to an older guy

 a man much older than her dad.

 

Now outcast from her family.

she does not know who she can trust.

Though she’s determined to be free,

not subject to an old mans lust..

 

If she is lucky she will find

 place of safety she can stay

with other girls of her own kind.

For freedom there’s a price to pay.

 

Although in truth there should not be.

Custom and practice still prevail

in Asian society.

I tell an all too frequent tale.

 

Although some do integrate

 There has to a  be a few of course

who cannot appreciate

 they must obey this country’s laws.

 

Forced marriages amount to rape.

A blatant form of child abuse.

A fate from which some do escape

if they are brave enough to choose.

 

To leave behind the life they’ve known.

Its not an easy thing to do

 and face the future on their own

For freedom their entitled to.

 

Support themselves as best they can.

 They sell big Issue Magazine

 and are dependent on no man.

Perhaps you pass them by unseen.

 

Consider this, it might have been

 a choice which you were forced to make.

So buy a copy don’t be mean

 and smile at her for pity’s sake.

 

 You will not miss a pound or two.

Your smile makes all the difference.

The smile that she receives from you

 is better than indifference.

 

She’s not a beggar seeking alms.

Although some people take that view.

 The very sight of her alarms

the prejudiced uncaring few.

 

But for Gods grace it could be you.

 By circumstances driven to

 desperate measure just to live.

So lighten up and gladly give.

 

8-Oct-08

 

http:// Blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers

Reviews

[Emily B]

but for God's grace . . .

this is an important reminder to all of us. . . how fortunate are we to live the way we do! A few dollars, a smile are small things to share with someone in need of God's grace.