I read a news article a few weeks ago about how some Iraqi women have to prostitute themselves to feed their children. It centered around one womans' case (which was bad enough), but she mentioned another woman, who has to have sex in the same room as her children, just to feed them. I forgot all about the article until last night, after meditating. I lay down on my bed to think about things, and as I did so, the poem just came to me. So I wrote it down. This is a poem for every victim of every war, but it is dedicated to that one Iraqi woman. Turn your heads, my little ones; Turn away from dread. A man has come, my little ones; He brings us crumbs of bread. Block out your ears, my little ones; Block out his rhythmic moans. Try not to hear, my little ones; We really can't postpone. The war is here, my little ones; The war gives Saddam a call. Your fathers' dead, my little ones; One small room for us all. You can't go out, my little ones; You can't go, or they'll shoot You must stay here, my little ones; Stay with a prostitute. I have to feed my little ones; I have to, or they'll die. There's but one way, my little ones; So on my back I'll lie.
Emelia, really good work. This was very enjoyable to read (despite the topic) and you captured the Iraqi woman's heart well. I love the title. The rhyming and repetitiveness is good and doesn't overpower it. I remember reading somewhere that you should always pay attention to when you find that you write best... what part of the day, what surrounds you, etc. Resting after meditation may be one such place where your creativity finds it's way onto paper. Thanks for sharing!
This brought a tear to my eye. To say this is a good poem is such an under statement. emelia, This is sad, real, true, and heartbreaking. You should find a poetry contest and enter it. Reading this made me feel for this woman, and made me glad that I was born in this wonderful country, instead of a war torn country. I sponsor families in a third world country, and this poem made me want to sponsor this family......... Wonderful work, Emery
Thank you so much, you have no idea how much confidence in my writing this is giving me, since I only began writing poetry a few days ago. I'm so glad I was able to capture the woman's heart, and even more so that you all found it.
By the way, it took some searching, but I found the news article that this is based on. http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/08/15/iraq.prostitution/index.html I specifically based my poem on this sentence: 'Rahim tells the heartbreaking story of one woman they found who lives in a room with three of her children: "She has sex while her three children are in the room, but she makes them stand in separate corners."'
Poetry contest, eh? I've looked around at online ones, but I'm not sure about how to submit it. Should I explain what it's about first, or should I just enter the poem itself? I'm not sure that people will get it if I don't explain it beforehand... Anybody who knows about online poetry contests, please help!
I don't know anything about contests unfortunately but I do know what I like. This is a beautiful, touching, simple poem. I, like Vetty, love the repetetiveness of the rhyme. It really helps the words to sink in. Whatever comments you get whether they be positive or negative, you should always write as long as YOU want to. Great work. Peace, A.
The contests I've seen don't give you an opportunity to explain, but there are some contests for rhyming poetry. Since I don't typically do this type I don't keep up with it. Sorry, I wish I could be more helpful.
