Children

The Other Life

/ Janice / 12 Comments

We all have our reasons for wanting to leave this life, sometimes.  Although, deep down, we know that our troubles are probably not as bad as most people’s…

Image Credit: http://carmensandiegotravel.blogspot.com - 11-year old boy who has been living on the streets since he was 9. Shoppers in the background. Kathmandu, Nepal, 2006 -

Image Credit: http://carmensandiegotravel.blogspot.com
– 11-year old boy who has been living on the streets since he was 9. Shoppers in the background. Kathmandu, Nepal, 2006 –

Something is happening

the ground is softening

here where I lay

the people passing

still are rushing

but getting farther away

there is a feeling

heart is beating

slowly into calmness

something is shining

mind is reeling

so much joy and gladness

angels singing

no more suffering

peace instead of strife

breath is waning

soul is lifting

ready for the other life.

Day 9 of 2013 November PAD challenge.

Advertisement

Inanimate Object

/ Janice / 4 Comments

What do kids value these days?  Their iPads? iPhones? Skateboards? Pillow pets? DS?  Really, I could go on about it.

But do they know there are thousands of kids out there who value something so small that most people just throw away?

beggar LIFE

Inanimate Object

a battered, old thing

fished out of the trash

no holes, that’s good

it can hold cash

on a rainy day

fresh water to catch

and in the river

a scooper for a bath

most precious possession

priceless tin can

Day 8 of 2013 November PAD challenge.

Hardship

/ Janice / 2 Comments

It’s no secret.  Street children will do anything to earn money, no matter how hard (or dangerous), to survive.  I remember seeing these kids everywhere in Manila…

Hardship

I’ve reached the bottom
The worst part
I’m not alone
See my cart
Filled with invisible, heavy stones

It is my livelihood
I push it everyday
Through the streets
Come what may
On my sore little feet

Each bottle equals money
Plastic, glass, or tin
Small or super-sized too
In my cart they all go in
All day it’s all I do

A simple transaction
Get paid a small fraction
To buy a tiny portion
Of bits I could fashion
Into something I call “food.”

Day 7 of 2013 November PAD challenge.

Perspective

/ Janice / 2 Comments

Back in the Philippines, it is very common to see a security guard standing outside the doors of malls, stores, and restaurants.  They open and close the doors for customers.  But more importantly, they keep both suspicious characters and homeless people out.  It’s all about images in the business, you know.

Perspective

oh my asthma
so much air pollution
why can’t I work inside
open, close
infernal doors!
am I Saint Peter?
and those pesky rats
always trying to sneak in
filthy and stinky
bothersome pests
ruining the image
of our prestigious store
a new group
every night
they pick this spot
a sleeping swarm
every morning
I wake them up
and shoo!
shoo!
get out of here!
the store is opening!
oh my asthma
why do I work here?

With no home or parental care, street children sleep together for warmth and protection. © 2005 Marcus Bleasdale

With no home or parental care, street children sleep together for warmth and protection.
© 2005 Marcus Bleasdale

Day 6 of 2013 November PAD challenge.