Human Rights

Basic.

necessary as the air we breathe:

Human Rights.

I multiply 365 and 100,000 and find that 36,500,000 humans suffocate to death each year

from hunger, war and rape.

 We all have the right to life, right?

they are as transparent as an 8 year-old stepchild sitting at his new father’s dinner table.

Child, take a look

the house is falling apart and human rights are at the bottom of the to-fix list.

how many are there?

how many can you name?

There’s 30—but Child,

if we all have the right to be free from abuse, then

why

can I read about torture in Iraq and emaciated infants, ribs jutting out of their back?

The world is sick, as if one monstrous hand eagerly took a syringe and infused our world with hate and nothing else was done.

and if all have the right to a Nationality and the freedom to change it, then

why

do I know a dozen intelligent scholars who have to lie to go to school because they don’t have those sanctified papers?  why do they have to work 2 jobs just to reside next to their rights at the bottom of the to-fix list?

if only gaining citizenship were as easy as tuning out the cries of the world.

Child, take a look:

even if you look from far away, you will see all of these rights being wronged.  You will see a grownup in a steamed suit.  he will be pulling the budding plant from its roots, and denying it growth.

All of these Laws

really broken, but not everyone sees, child!

And it does not matter why.

But how will we protect these 30 seeds from being further harmed so that they can soon shine as 30 nurtured trees?

How will we yank ourselves away from the cluelessness and form these 30 sad sentences into 30 beautiful truths?  

When will the world finally see these as 30 kept promises?

Child, take a look and see.

 

 

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741