"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

34 comments:

  1. Harrowing image - words and picture both.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  14. A horror story but one of reality.

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  15. Stan it is indeed!
    Thanks
    Pamela

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  16. Viv that is very true!
    Thanks
    Pamela

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  17. Thanks Ron
    It is a horrible reality
    Pamela

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  18. Thanks Barb
    I think this time it worked!
    Pamela

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

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

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

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

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  23. Thank you very much Elizabeth!
    Pamela

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  24. Nicole your response almost made me cry!
    Thanks!
    Pamela

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  25. Uma yes it is very sad!
    Thanks!
    Pamela

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

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

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

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

    -Weasel

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