Human Toll

Talks stalled
escapees struggle
lives minimized
burdens heavy
despair palpable

Can they sense
the global hug,
compassion circling?

Do prayers have substance,
or have the displaced
never felt so alone?

(Image mine)

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VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

20 thoughts on “Human Toll”

    1. I said this to a local minister – how frustrated I was by politicians – and he corrected me. He said we depend too much on our elected officials to make change, when it is we, ourselves need to answer the need. Left me thinking. Thank you.

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    1. I really wrote this out of my own helplessness, Sarah. I imagine the experience of war is both soul-destroying and surprisingly uplifting in light of all to come to aid. Thanks.

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  8. It is clear to me that compassion and politics do not mix, i sense that leaders suspect emotions, even fear them and any response would be equally suspect, weak even in their minds. I love that haunting image, it underpins your lines so powerfully.

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      1. Yes, finishing a night of federal election news here with a change of govt after ten years of self-serving and penny-pinching policies, nowadays I’m more clinical in my voting.

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