Poverty up close

Melinda Kerr
Author: Melinda Kerr
Word Count: 80
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Poverty up close

I was in Congo with some of the poorest in the world.
The world.
I fed them and felt like a fake.

Poverty up close belongs to the following groups:

Compassion, Courage & Friendship and Melbourne & Victoria

We sit so close to the edge
a line
a sliver of contact
dances between us yet slithers from the grasp of our souls
are we here?
in this place?
together?

Our realities grind but never touch
you are truly powerless
and I am shamed by my strength
horrified by my world
embarrassed by my life

It’s all so horribly muddy

How obscene
how horrifically obscene it is to open one’s eyes

How tragically corrupt to close them

  • Samantha Cole-Surjan

    Samantha Cole-...

    beautifully writtem Mel, and oh so true….
    We have so much that we take for granted…. it is truly shameful!
    But there are angels in this world like yourself that are far from fake and would give their left arm if they new it would help
    Hugs to you Mel, you have a heart of gold!
    xx Sam

  • Rosalie Dale IPA

    Rosalie Dale IPA

    Yep – ditto in Africa, in Thailand, and in Cambodia. I feel ashamed that we dare to complain about ANYTHING when we have so much … quite often these are some of the most genuine, humble, cheerful people I have met. Well said Melinda.

  • Lisa  Jewell

    Lisa Jewell

    That last line has hit me square in the eyes, heart and mind…......

    Thank you Mel, for continuing to keep our eyes OPEN….

  • PhotogeniquE IPA

    PhotogeniquE IPA

    wonderful words. It is hard isn’t it, too stand and see the poverty outside of our own, often sealed tight, world.

  • PJ Ryan

    PJ Ryan

    very powerful

    and I am shamed by my strength
    horrified by my world
    embarrassed by my life

  • LoriSmaltz

    LoriSmaltz

    very sad and emotional writing, very good too!

  • Nelson Campbell
  • Rhenastarr

    Rhenastarr

    Powerful words and powerful meaning!!!

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