"Life is the dancer and you are the dance."
— Eckhart Tolle

Thursday, June 24, 2010

”arctic never” big tent poetry #8

“I want to write about crack babies, but I don’t know how.”
incubators crying
from every corridor
to hold and feed
shaking and screaming
no comfort to be found
hearts beat an extra rhythm
too fast to contain
eyes unfocused
eyes untamed
Posted by flaubert at 7:54 PM

34 comments:

  1. Stan SkiJune 25, 2010 at 12:45 AM

    Harrowing image - words and picture both.

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  2. vivienne blakeJune 25, 2010 at 1:01 AM

    A horror story, succinctly told. Should be pasted up everywhere as an awful warning.
    Viv

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  3. Ron.June 25, 2010 at 5:32 AM

    Jesus.
    There ought to be no way to write this, but you found it. Salute.

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  4. MarianneJune 25, 2010 at 7:22 AM

    That picture is perfect for your stark, desolate words, Pamela! Horrible and powerful piece!

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  5. barbaraJune 25, 2010 at 8:35 AM

    Really good, Pamela.
    this is where less is far more eloquent.

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  6. MaryJune 25, 2010 at 8:44 AM

    Pamela, the poem and image together show the reality of such a sad situation! You tackled a difficult subject WELL.

    http://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2010/06/front-page-news.html

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  7. AnonymousJune 25, 2010 at 9:22 AM

    "no comfort" -- what a difficult way to start life!

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  8. markJune 25, 2010 at 10:21 AM

    Reminds me of some friends when they brought a baby they were going to adopt home. She still has lingering problems. You captured that early life horror all too well....

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  9. Diane TJune 25, 2010 at 11:01 AM

    Pamela, I've seen and heard a crack baby. Fortunately she was raised by her grandmother and did very well. I was surprised. In any case, this is a very well written poem, accesses the emotion you feel observing.

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  10. ElizabethJune 25, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    A long, long time ago, I thought that good writing had to be about beautiful things. I'm so glad I grew up.

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  11. AnonymousJune 25, 2010 at 12:17 PM

    The poem and the picture seem to illustrate each other. Each separately, and together, the effect is heart wrenching.

    Those incubators, crying. And no arms to respond.

    You brought me to tears.

    -Nicole

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  12. UmaJune 25, 2010 at 1:08 PM

    Pamela, this is a sad sad poem, written so succinctly.

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  13. Tumblewords:June 25, 2010 at 2:13 PM

    You found a way to write this - to send the message of alarm. Profound. Frightening.

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  14. rallentandaJune 26, 2010 at 6:17 AM

    A horror story but one of reality.

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  15. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:15 AM

    Stan it is indeed!
    Thanks
    Pamela

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  16. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:15 AM

    Viv that is very true!
    Thanks
    Pamela

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  17. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:16 AM

    Thanks Ron
    It is a horrible reality
    Pamela

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  18. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:16 AM

    Thanks Marianne
    Pamela

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  19. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:17 AM

    Thanks Barb
    I think this time it worked!
    Pamela

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  20. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:19 AM

    Mary it is a tough subject and a very sad one!
    Thanks!
    Pamela

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  21. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:20 AM

    yes Carolee a terrible way to start a life!
    Thanks!
    Pamela

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  22. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:21 AM

    Thanks Mark and good for your friends
    more people should consider adopting these babies!
    Pamela

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  23. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:23 AM

    Diane it is a heartbreaking thing to witness!
    Good thing that baby had a grandmother to care for them!
    Pamela

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  24. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:23 AM

    Thank you very much Elizabeth!
    Pamela

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  25. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:24 AM

    Nicole your response almost made me cry!
    Thanks!
    Pamela

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  26. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:25 AM

    Uma yes it is very sad!
    Thanks!
    Pamela

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  27. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:26 AM

    Thanks Susan!
    Pamela

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  28. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 9:27 AM

    Rall it is one of reality and so heartwrenching to witness!
    Pamela

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  29. Erin DavisJune 26, 2010 at 5:59 PM

    You capture the horror of this so well. Truly heartwrenching, and the image echoes it.

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  30. flaubertJune 26, 2010 at 7:25 PM

    Erin
    thanks so much!
    Pamela

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  31. Cynthia ShortJune 27, 2010 at 9:00 AM

    So powerful...not only is this topic something hard to write about, it is something that should not exist...

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  32. flaubertJune 27, 2010 at 9:29 AM

    Agreed Cynthia
    Pamela

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  33. WeaselJune 27, 2010 at 11:00 AM

    A shocking truth in a very powerful piece! Good post!

    -Weasel

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  34. flaubertJune 27, 2010 at 11:03 AM

    Thanks Weasel!
    Pamela

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