worried face, grumbling stomach
Then stopped to rest and stretched
one hand begging, meager coins to fetch.
Along came a simple man, mindful
with nothing much but just enough
Reached for his pocket, half-full
a smile, a coin dropped, a gesture.
Reached for his pocket, half-full
a smile, a coin dropped, a gesture.
That one piece of metal to behold
added up for a fruitful goal
Of filling the emptiness not of the mind
but of the body, tired, consoled.
The giving spirit to home abound
lost nothing but a weight to carry
For each piece was nothing compared
to a beggar, a polyphony.
One mouth, two, three to feed
harsh, unfair continuous struggles
To survive, battling, lives to live
for what purpose, reasons crumbled.
For what he shared was just a speck
from a wage, hard earned
Undeniably luckier, even for a sec
to see one's upturn.
Oh why have for some, forsaken
deprived of heaven's blessings
To live is pain and suffer, betoken
no basis for any thanksgiving.
But the giver, what motive, the aim
gave to share, a feeling of pity
Was it heart, the mind, or a game
to help, to absolve, conformity?
The hopeful receiver, prayed to seize
a handful, adequate, or meagre.
No strength to see and feel at ease
tomorrow's light to conquer.
The lucky chap who makes a living
walked a path, clear and secured
Defined of care and trust, realizing
life for all its worth, measured.
* The number of poor people increase from 5.4 million in 2007 to 5.7 million in 2008, 11.4% of the total population, 5.2 million in rural areas and 570,000 in towns and cities. The poor, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute are people who earn between 1,749 and 1,800 baht per month. (Bkk Post Spectrum, July 2009)
(Artwork by Cole W.)
For each piece was nothing compared
to a beggar, a polyphony.
One mouth, two, three to feed
harsh, unfair continuous struggles
To survive, battling, lives to live
for what purpose, reasons crumbled.
For what he shared was just a speck
from a wage, hard earned
Undeniably luckier, even for a sec
to see one's upturn.
Oh why have for some, forsaken
deprived of heaven's blessings
To live is pain and suffer, betoken
no basis for any thanksgiving.
But the giver, what motive, the aim
gave to share, a feeling of pity
Was it heart, the mind, or a game
to help, to absolve, conformity?
The hopeful receiver, prayed to seize
a handful, adequate, or meagre.
No strength to see and feel at ease
tomorrow's light to conquer.
The lucky chap who makes a living
walked a path, clear and secured
Defined of care and trust, realizing
life for all its worth, measured.
* The number of poor people increase from 5.4 million in 2007 to 5.7 million in 2008, 11.4% of the total population, 5.2 million in rural areas and 570,000 in towns and cities. The poor, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute are people who earn between 1,749 and 1,800 baht per month. (Bkk Post Spectrum, July 2009)
(Artwork by Cole W.)
Poverty is really crippling our societies...hays...made worse by the global recession.
ReplyDelete---
Give and it will come back to you... :)
As always thanks for the comment. Indeed the evils of society are always on the rise, we needed good leaders to lift us up. But we should start being a model for others.
ReplyDeleteAs a student I once dreamed of getting some random street children for a sumtuous dinner. But sadly, when I had the chance to earning my keep, that dream never materialized.
ReplyDeleteI once went to a province to do my usual field work. Then suddenly while walking a couple of streetchildren went to ask for alms. Culture would bid me to give a penny, but practicalities would tell me the money would not go to their own cause, but to a larger syndicate. I stood there not able to think till the children just left my side. I was sadened with my failure to do what I trully wanted. I hesitated too long.
I've always wanted to help. But how, sometimes I ask myself. How.
(sorry for the long comment, the event happend just a week back and still triggered a lot of emotions from me)
i'm not ure if you're aware of the political turmoil here in the Philippines, but good leaders are somethings we lack... big time.
ReplyDelete---
yeah. the path is there but sometimes the courage to take the step and to make the decision is the one missing...
Populations are still exploding, people are getting poorer and starving more...
ReplyDeleteThey said 2012 is the end of everything, if not most. Do you wish to survive that catastrophe but all of your loved ones are gone, or you'd rather die with them?
Me, personally, I'd rather survive.
Im back Mr Athan!
Jepoy,
ReplyDeleteIt does not really matter whether we give them something as long as we could help in our own little ways. If we think that our little gestures will benefit others (reminds me of Slumdog Millionaire), then it is the conscience of others that needs awakening.
Lucas,
ReplyDeleteI am aware of the paths taken by countries as they serve as lessons for leaders to be. The problem is when they are then blinded by wealth and prestige that they forget what they were voted for.
Regarding taking the step, I took one step forward though it was a risk and I am so very glad I did.
Kris,
ReplyDeleteI do not like to think of the end, but if it comes, then I have no say as to what will happen. To survive or not, I have to live today and do what I am supposed to be doing so when the end is near, I have contributed a part of me.