Related quotes: (in answer to Ingrid Jonker)...

The Child Is Still Alive

(in answer to Ingrid Jonker)

The child is still alive,
his spirit nobody can extinguish,
the small fists of the child hits on its mother's back
where she is carrying him
and out of control the child is crying
when his mother screams Africa and amandla
or like a Voortrekker woman with bare feet
try to find a way in the veldt to wild fruits
with snot that runs from his nose over his cheeks
where paper thin dogs run away scared
and a murderous crowd walks in the street,
but the child's voice
is swallowed by the roar of the crowd.

The whole country is degenerating
with cities becoming hovels overnight,
in anger the child lifts his fists against his father,
throws bricks and stones that fall like hail
and his father is without a job,
while people stream in from other countries
to fill all the vacant positions
and people walk in mass riots
while they scream Africa and amandla,
the child has a blown up stomach and is emaciated
and smells of human refuse.

The child is still alive,
his spirit nobody can extinguish,
not in Soweto, or at Thembisa, or in Sunnyside
or Hillbrow or wherever,
everywhere his toddler sister is raped
to rescue barbaric adult males
from AIDS,
or for the medicine of witchdoctors
she is cut apart
and however the child is suffering
he still is alive.

The child is still alive,
his spirit nobody can extinguish,
and he grows rebellious
while education degenerates
to human rights and politics
where knowledge, own values
and religion is been unlearned
and the child realises
that he will have no kind of future.

The child hides in the shadows,
notices the civil service
see how these people act fraudulently,
how they steal from the entire country,
even in the highest councils
where suppressing laws are being passed;
the child is unseen but present
and he notices how people are being bribed,
how everyone is living for his or her own gain,
the child peeps through bus windows,
through the windows of shacks in slums
and he wonders when it will be safe again
to play carefree outside,
to feel the sun on his skin?

Each opportunity and even his freedom
is being stolen from him time after time
and cursing whores are on the street,
drug lords from Nigeria,
thieves and killers from Zimbabwe
that gather everywhere in small groups
and strangers steal opportunities
as if they belong to them.

The child that wanted to feel the sun on his skin
in due time grows to be a man,
and decide to forget his father and his ancestors,
to forget about their corruption,
has great zeal for a new place,
(somewhere on this continent of Africa)
where everybody careless and free
can lead a own life
and he moves from place to place
where he tells everybody about his ideology
until his followers grow to gigantic numbers
and continually everyone is searching for some answers,
while no starvation, robbery, murder and illnesses
does devour Africa.

poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes

A Mother

How can a mother forget her child,
the child who is conceived nine months in the womb
the child that is cradled at daytime,
night time until dawn?
How can a mother forget her child?

How can a mother forget her child
the child who after the flow of months
has learned to stand and run?
How can a mother forget her child,
the child whose mouth imitates her mother`s tongue,
the child who after a year or two can say,
'Mama, I love you'?

How can a mother forget her child,
the child who is so dear in her own heart and mind,
the child that reveals the mystery of creation,
the beauty of growth and human interaction.
the infinity of our own universe
within its finite linear time?

poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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African Child

AFRICA CHILD
Africa child a leader in the world
Africa child you grow so tender
In the two hands of your mother
Into a matured man to move the world

You really sucked the milk
Of your Africa mother with love, strong ness, neatness and greatness.

You were seen when little like a dull person but proved them all wrong.

Oh! Child you greatly moved the world
By showing your Africa ness in- you through the power

A leader in the world you are
I believe other continent
Will see your glittering black with a very good respect and integrity.

Child, I greet you with respect
‘Cos you are the colour that spark
With the whiteness of your eyes and teeth comes out to
Move very well with your minds
And soul to think so great.

I put on you the highest rank
In the world because you deserve
To be there, child! (c)

poem by Chinwendu Ibeh
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Every Child!

the faces of...
every child who'll
go to bed hungry tonite...
every child afraid to sleep
for fear of the soldiers,
the bullets, the bombs....
every child abused
by his parents...
every child humiliated
for being different.
every child who's never
known his own father...
every child with no hope
for an education...
every child sleeping
in homeless cars.
every child alone,
lonely, without love.
every child of every broken home,
every child, every color, every country...

staring at me this sleepless night,
tearing at my heart...
all my children!

poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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THIS IS OUR WORLD! ! (SHOCKING n EXPLICIT)

Where a child lives in a warm mother's cocoon
Where a child is sold to the prostitutes, her life doomed

Where a father fiercely protects his child
Yet another father enters another's child

Where children play without any fear
Where men enter boys through the rear

Where a child gets a new toy every day
Where a child becomes a toy near the bay

Where a child is whooped up and twirled
Where a child is forced down and hurled

Where they go to fancy schools, sing and play
Where for a single meal, they sweat and labour all day

poem by Renu Rakheja
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Broken Child

A broken child hides at night.
A broken child cries in fright.

A broken child hides the bruise.
A broken child is pushed and refused.

A broken child always with heartache.
A broken child who cannot fake.

A broken child who has no treasure.
A broken child used for sinful pleasure.

A broken child is so scared.
A broken child has no faith to bare.

A broken child lost in dispair.
I am the broken child, the one that no one cares.

poem by Haley Brown
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Give This Child What She Needs

Give this child what she needs
Love
Give this child what she needs
Shelter
Give this child what she needs
Prayers
Give this child what she needs
Some food and water
Give this child what she needs
Good parents
Give this child what she needs
Good manors
Give this child what she needs
A smoke free home
Give this child what she needs
Peace and happiness
Give this child what she needs
To know God
Give this child what she needs
Your guidance
Give this child what she needs
Clothes
Give this child what she needs
Your support
Give this child what she needs
Some family time
Give this child what she needs
A nice bath every day
Give this child what she needs
Some discipline
Give this child what she needs
A warm bed to sleep on

poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Old Child

Child. Old child,
No longer wild;
No longer speaking,
No longer beguiled;
I have become
A quiet old child.

Child. Old child,
No longer cold;
Never an old man,
Always too old;
I have become
An old child tenfold.

Child. Old child,
Forever a child;
Always rethinking,
Always exiled.
I should become
A happy old child.

Child. Old child.
Always soft-spoken;
No longer breaking,
Still being broken;
I have become
An old child, unspoken.

Child. Old child,
No longer bold;
By thinking, rethinking
Of stories untold,
All through my childhood,
I've become... old.

poem by Mihai Cosmescu
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Who Will Cry?

Who will cry for the little child who goes for days without food?
Who will cry for the little child who parents beat them?
Who will cry for the little child who is mistreated for being different?
Who will cry for the little child who goes unloved?
Who will cry for the little child whose stomach is swelled up?
Who will cry for the little child who doesn't have clothes to wear?
Who will cry for the little child who is shunned for not being popular?
Who will cry for the little child who is molested every night?
Who will cry for the little child who's parents are not around?
Who will cry for the little child who has to take care of his self?
Who will cry?
Will you cry?
Cause I have.

poem by Natasha Ligons
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Runaway Child

Runaway Child, don’t have to take it anymore

Runaway Child, just walk out of that door

Runaway Child, no more chances to take

Runaway Child, it’s your choice to make

Runaway Child, aren’t you sick and tired of the pain

Runaway Child, here there’s nothing to gain

Runaway Child, you get treated like dirt

Runaway Child, get away from the hurt

Runaway Child, here it’s no use

Runaway Child, get away from the abuse

Runaway Child, you don’t have 9 lives

Runaway Child, take that step or dive

Runaway Child, why are you still there

Runaway Child, how much pain can you bear

Runaway Child, you don’t have to say goodbye

Runaway Child, say goodbye, when they DIE!

poem by Patrick Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Children In Africa (c.i.a) .

Every single day in Africa
There's a child out there
Who's hungry and sick without meds.
And also without shelter and clothing
Needing for your love and succor

Every single day in Africa
A child goes hungry to bed
Looking badly malnourished and ill-fed
Not sure where and when the next meal comes
Lives in slums in unhygienic conditions
In a bid to break barriers and above par

Every single day in Africa
A child drops out of school
Due to Abject poverty and starvation
And an inability to pay school fees
Which results to disillusionment

Every single day in Africa
A child is psychologically abused
Sent out on the cold streets
To eke out out a living for his family
Inspite of very imminent dangers on his way

Every single day in Africa
A child wakes up to harsh realities
Sold into prostitution, slavery and crime
Against their own very wishes
To a world of hate and bestiality

Every single day in Africa
A child is faced with humiliation
Despair and suppression of own voices
He cant be heard and he's preyed upon
In a world where he seeks protection and love

So many have lost hope.
Some have had their trust damaged
Some are living for the day
Waiting for what tomorrow brings
In a cruel world that care less
About the future of the Africa Child...

poem by Olumide Familusi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Todays Child

A child grows with time, and time changes,
But does the child change?
Yes, he changes
But how does he change?
A child’s future depends on his people, his elders, his friends
The world today decides the future of the child
Look upon the child, see him, hear him, and understand him
Do not ignore the child and destroy him.

poem by Joy Lovelet Crawford
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Broken child

I see the face of a broken child.
A child who has seen more than his young eyes should.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who would run away from it all if he could.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who has been ravished by the likes of you and I.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child with to much pride to cry.
I see the face off a broken child.
a child who fights off anyone who cares.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who wishes his mother was there.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who wont let his hardships keep him down.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who refuses to give up and reveal a frown.

poem by Joshua Reid
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A father, A child. The meaningful bond

A father whispers to the child
As the child continues to ignore his spoken words
As if his owner was almost invisible from the corner of his eye
The child shouts – silence” the father then trembles disfigured to heart
He stands crying tears of fury with the spark of love of his child’s naivety.
The child carries on his missions, his father watches him do his thing”
When finally one day the child realizes his insane character, the father then
Ignores his presence..

Appreciate what you have here, now, but not always.
because 'you never know'.

poem by Noorie Ali
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Missing Link

A sickly child lie
frail on the sofa in the living room.
A knock on the door,
His mother opened.
The man who entered the child knew it was his father.
Whose child is this?
“It is your youngest son” his mother said.
The children in the street
all had a father; the child had waited for him.
But his father ignored him,
gave chocolate to his sister and brother,
then he drank from a bottle,
his mother threw him out.
Next day asked his mother, ” are you sure he is my father? ”
She slapped her son’s face and cried.

poem by Oskar Hansen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Three children

Three little children.
One with a home.
One sitting on a thrown.
The last child only skin and bones.

One child lives happily with his family.
One child sits alone; his family won’t spare the time
The last child watches his mother die.

One child has a few new toys.
One child has the best toys anyone can imagine.
The last child plays with sticks and stones.

One child attends public school.
One child stays home and studies alone.
The last child has to cook and has never opened a book.

The children become men.

One man is off to war.
One man is sitting behind a jail door.
The last man is very far from poor.

poem by Yvette Carbajal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Yesterdays Child

Roy orbison/bill dees
I see the face of yesterdays child,
Living in a state of in between.
Is there a place for yesterdays child,
Searching for an unforgotten dream?
Looking for rainbows at midnight,
Hoping tomorrow will come.
Will time erase for yesterdays child?
What will the child become?
I hear the voice of yesterdays child
Echoing my name, my name, my name.
Is there a choice for yesterdays child,
Seeking shelter from the falling rain?
Chasing a butterfly lover,
Making a run for the sun.
Who will rejoice for yesterdays child?
What is the game to be won?
Will you draw?
Will you fold?
Will you start playing wild?
What is the future for yesterdays child?
Will you turn to dust,
Or go to the sea, racing with destiny?
Oh,look at me,
Born to be yesterdays child.

song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Give a Child...

Proudly for Seth ~ Ryan who graduated as
an Aerospace Engineer last week!

Give a child a great education
You give them the world

Give a child science and math
You give them access

Give a child a sense of wonder
You give them joy

Give a child poetry, paint, l.e.d.s, aluminum foil and sparkles
You give them creativity

Give a child accountability
You give them integrity

Give a child an understanding of spirit
You give them faith

Give a child an entire community
You give them responsilbility

Give a child your undivided time
You give them security

Give a child a life by example
You give them the map for success

Give a child hugs
You give them love!

~May 26,2006
Mountaintop Cottage, Tennessee

poem by Debora Short
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Child of mine…

To my beautiful child, , ,

Beautiful child, being so small you inspire me big,
Beautiful child, so fragile, you make me so strong,
Beautiful child, so tender your touch your power is great,
Beautiful child, small is your heart, infinite is the love I feel for you;
Beautiful child, your hand I’m anxious to hold, to walk life’s road with you by my side.
Beautiful child, your light will show me the way,
Beautiful child, you came to my life to teach me a lesson that I shall never forget…
Nor riches, nor power can give us the best things of life…
The smile of a child…Is the best of all rewards…

poem by Ale Duncan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Child Of Babylon

(coverdale/marsden)
When I heard the sound of thunder
On the day that I was born,
I was blinded by the lighting
An baptised in the storm
My father started crying
When he saw what he had done,
But, my mother started praying
Have mercy on my son,
He is a child of babylon
I am a child of babylon,
Lord have mercy on a wayward son
Nowhere to hide, nowhere to run
I am a child,
A child of babylon
When Ive fooled around so many times
When Ive known it aint been right,
But, I paint it all in colours
When it really should be black and white
I sail my ship through muddy waters,
Try to open every door,
When I saw the seven wonders
It left me wanting more
I am a child of babylon,
Lord have mercy on a wayward son
Nowhere to hide, got no place to run
I am a child,
A child of babylon
On my day of judgement
I know how it will be,
Im prepared to meet my maker
With no hope for charity
Ill stand alone and pay the price
For everything Ive done,
cos there aint guardian angel
For a child of babylon
I am a child,
A child of babylon
I am a child of babylon,
Lord have mercy on a wayward son
Nowhere to hide, got no place to run
I am a child,
A child of babylon
Child of babylon

song performed by by Whitesnake
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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