Passport Declaration

[Frank E Gibbard]

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

[goldenlangur]

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

[Frank E Gibbard]

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

[Aleksandra]

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

[Frank E Gibbard]

Thanks Aleks for your thoughts on the human tragedy. Frank

[Lake]

Frank,

 

This is a strong declaration, appeal. It can be applied to a lot of situations. A powerful ending.

 

Great write.

 

Lake

[tonyv]

This one's clear and concise, Frank. Not too long, not too short -- it's just right.

 

Tony