Frank E Gibbard Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Please don’t kill me I’m a stranger Who represents to you No danger I am just a simple poet Who loves his fellow man And wants all to know it I am not defined by my Nationality I am an individual Possessed of a personality This bunch of carbon You are seeing Belongs to me A human being Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenlangur Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Hello Frank, Another topical theme you tackle here. In the aftermath of the Mumbai massacre, your poem is chillingly evocative of the way how terrorists single out certain nationalities and religious groups to slaughter. The dark shadows of the holocaust still prevail. These lines bring out this terrible situation: I am not defined by my Nationality I am an individual Possessed of a personality Here the Mumbai attacks will continue to haunt for a long, long time. goldenlangur Quote goldenlangur Even a single enemy is too many and a thousand friends too few - Bhutanese saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank E Gibbard Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 Thanks Golden - exactly. Mumbai again illustrated the new risks to travel and the iniquity of being tarred by the same brush that is applied to your country's political actions and perceived standing in the world. You may not be remotely a supporter of your government's actions but to the terrorist fanatic's mind all are a fair target as they are deranged and incapable of ratioality. I do not imagine my text if appended to my own passport would save me but it is my idealistic wish that people could be treated in this world not as a national, but a person. The case of the Jewish victims in India is a stark horrendous example of this sort of targetting. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleksandra Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Lovely, strong, and sensitive poem. The happening in the world, and this newest sad story in Mumbai, takes a place into humanity. It is very hurtful and the human beings suffer. You expressed something very hurtful and that in short lines but with deep meaning Thank you for sharing Frank Aleksandra Quote The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank E Gibbard Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 Thanks Aleks for your thoughts on the human tragedy. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Frank, This is a strong declaration, appeal. It can be applied to a lot of situations. A powerful ending. Great write. Lake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 This one's clear and concise, Frank. Not too long, not too short -- it's just right. Tony Quote Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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