deepundergroundpoetry.com
Bethlehem's other Children
In the village of my childhood,
where apricot trees blossom
in February,
a sanctuary
celebrated with festive cheer
and happy children,
sugar plum fairies,
and Santa's elves,
there is a refuge,
a crèche for babies
rescued from garbage bins,
for many orphans the only home
they'll ever know,
just around the corner
from that famous crib
where a baby called Jesus
is said to be born,
and where women are
no longer allowed to walk
about on their own.
where apricot trees blossom
in February,
a sanctuary
celebrated with festive cheer
and happy children,
sugar plum fairies,
and Santa's elves,
there is a refuge,
a crèche for babies
rescued from garbage bins,
for many orphans the only home
they'll ever know,
just around the corner
from that famous crib
where a baby called Jesus
is said to be born,
and where women are
no longer allowed to walk
about on their own.
Published 17th Feb 2021
Author's Note
inspired by two recent articles – one in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/15/women-male-guardian-hamas-gaza-strip
the other in the Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/bethlehems-other-children-and-the-home-that-cares-for-them-652883
the other in the Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/bethlehems-other-children-and-the-home-that-cares-for-them-652883
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 8
reading list entries 5
comments 10
reads 498
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
17th Feb 2021 11:49pm
This poem gives the reader, at least me, something to think about. Very powerful. Peace, oral
17th Feb 2021 11:57pm
18th Feb 2021 5:24am
Dear VB,
Oh the ache! It’s so easy to forget the suffering of others even when it’s happening in your own back yard. Turning a blind eye to assuage your own discomfort might be a human coping mechanism but hard to overlook when so many little lives are in need of love. This is an amazing piece of poetry so beautifully laid out to show just how fast misfortune can befall anyone and, how important it is to keep memories alive even when some might be desperate to forget. H🌷
Oh the ache! It’s so easy to forget the suffering of others even when it’s happening in your own back yard. Turning a blind eye to assuage your own discomfort might be a human coping mechanism but hard to overlook when so many little lives are in need of love. This is an amazing piece of poetry so beautifully laid out to show just how fast misfortune can befall anyone and, how important it is to keep memories alive even when some might be desperate to forget. H🌷
18th Feb 2021 1:11pm
Thank you H,
it is not a "comfortable" or "comforting" piece, I know. But what can we do when the discomfort hits us in the face?
Many thanks for reading and commenting!
xx
V
it is not a "comfortable" or "comforting" piece, I know. But what can we do when the discomfort hits us in the face?
Many thanks for reading and commenting!
xx
V
Anonymous
18th Feb 2021 1:15pm
"But what can we do when the discomfort hits us in the face?"
Expand awareness about the situation by writing and sharing a damn good poem about it.
Expand awareness about the situation by writing and sharing a damn good poem about it.
yes, that does help! And thank you very much for reading and commenting, Johnny.
18th Feb 2021 2:44pm
Powerful comment on the intervening years and how a tragedy long in the making "suddenly" makes for a huge contrast.
18th Feb 2021 10:49pm
19th Feb 2021 1:23pm
Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
This one came out in an unexpected moment, in a sudden splurge... as powerful writing sometimes does.
I'm sure you know it well.
This one came out in an unexpected moment, in a sudden splurge... as powerful writing sometimes does.
I'm sure you know it well.
13th Dec 2022 4:12pm
This is insightful and thought provoking. Understanding that the laws prohibit so much in certain countries, it saddens the heart.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing.
