Nigerian Schoolgirls
Photo from article.wn.com
what terror murders innocence
for yearning education
rips ripe flowers from their stems
to subjugate their fragrance
paternalistic arrogance flaunts
deep sectarian misogyny
it has ugly eyes for the world
bloody hands for its own
stunted ethics compel its illusions
who will stand for the flowers
and tame this abomination
or failing that kill the beast
once and for all with clean
adamant weapons of justice
who will rescue the flowers
return them to their gardens
of humane society give them
sweet nurturing reverence
oh Nigeria giant of Africa
wailing your titanic clashes of clans
let your daughters and sons
breathe of your proud ancient
kingdoms reject the repugnant
sharia of Boko Haram and let
flourish the powers that flowers
exhibit when bathed in the nutrient
peace of Eden before the great fall
it is in you since birthmother Nok
culture opened your primitive heart
[ Smiles ] Splendid poem!
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thank you kindly
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Like it – although there are no ‘clean adament weapons of justice’!
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perhaps it depends on the point of view
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That intrigued me! I would have said in the eyes of the avenger, they are clean.
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This brought tears to my eyes. A powerful statement on a heartbreaking situation. Return those beautiful flowers indeed!
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much appreciated, eileen
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Magnificent – may I reblog? This is matter that has played upon my mind a lot – if ever the West should interfere (with the metaphorical club hammer) it is here.
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please fell free
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Cheers.
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so many silent voices, fine poem, people need to speak up, if only the leaders led
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if only, indeed
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Powerful, Paul. A terrible tragedy and a serious violation of the rights of the child and the various conventions!
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it breaks the heart of humanity
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#BringBackOurGirls…
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yes indeed
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Reblogged this on mikesteeden and commented:
Great and important poem by Paul Lenzi.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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Reblogged this on Drabarni's Drom Romani and commented:
Reblogging this powerful poem by Paul Lenzi.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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I would also like to reblog Paul. Nigeria has been a focus of my prayers for some months and especially this last week.
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I’d be honored if you do
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Reblogged this on Lillie-Put and commented:
Paul writes powerfully about a very desperate situation. Be in prayer my friends.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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My pleasure.
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Makes me think of Alan Paton’s ‘Cry, the Beloved Country’ . . .
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it is indeed a continent beleaguered by the grossest injustices
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Well said, Paul
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much appreciated
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Very well done!
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thanks kindly
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This is so powerful! I am and will be praying for these beautiful girls.
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amen
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Thanks a lot. Well written for my beloved country. Blessings in every way!
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I greatly appreciate that, Michael
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Powerful poem. My thoughts have been with those poor, sweet flowers for days. #BringBackOurGirls
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it’s all so shocking
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Yes. Time we stopped these power hungry, arrogant men!
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they’re despicable
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Beautifully written–yet another cruel injustice.
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tears me to pieces
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Thank you for paying honor to the victims of this terrible heart-breaking tragedy, for giving a voice to the voiceless.
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seems the least I can do to vent my horror and sorrow
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I posted a poem for this atrocity today as well. I have been waiting for weeks to hear anything. I guess our government now has to wait for the perfect photo op.
Thanks for your touching poem
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appreciate that very much
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This is both powerful and poignant. May the prayers from all over the earth be answered soon.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
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amen
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Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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always welcome! thank YOU for sharing your art with us.
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Reblogged this on Looking for the Light.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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You have harnessed the power of your tremendous talent for a most urgent and worthy cause!
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deeply appreciated
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Hi Paul. Yet another human tragedy the numbers are mounting! Thank you for liking ‘Expression!’ The Foureyed Poet.
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it breaks the heart
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so heartbreaking…i have a difficult time understanding if we can pinpoint people with drone attacks (which I am adamantly against! btw)…WHY can’t we find where these children are? Priorities…innocent lives…tragic!
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I think the whole world is equally mystified – and bereft
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A powerful poem
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thank you kindly, Yolanda
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Reblogged this on theworldoutsidethewindow and commented:
Eloquently written and powerfully important poem.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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Powerful writing and important to share. I have re-blogged as we should all think about this..
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much appreciated
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What a wonderful and powerful poem. Praying these girls get home soon and then are allowed to be educated.
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amen – thank you most kindly
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Thanks for visiting again, Paul. Yes, Nigeria is sad sad sad, but I think lists ahead of the U.S. when ranked according to the happiness of its people. I lived in Ethiopia for two years and noticed the same irony.
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I appreciate the comment – but it sounded surprising so I checked the latest UN happiness report for 2013 – FYI the rankings show USA 17, Nigeria 82, and Ethiopia 119
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rescue flowers and let them grow..do not vandalize nor throw
flowers are blooming its spring time, let people live freely without woes
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appreciate your lovely comment
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thank you
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This poem is tremendous as it moves an unknowing reader into an understanding of the horror that takes place in a land far away from the reader…
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it was the least I could do for those tragic innocents
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Which terror rips ripe flowers from their stem to subjugate their fragrance? Nicely written…thanks for joining your voice to this issue
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it simply breaks my heart
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People with flimsy excuse to commit evil and a government that has no solution…pathetic
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Reblogged this on inkstinct and commented:
He feels our pains too
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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you’re welcome
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Who will stand for the flowers?
Who will stand for our girls?
scattered in the field
in the fierce grip of fiends
Who will weep for the flowers?
…
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appreciate your creative comment
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A compassionate voice for these beautiful schoolgirls! Expressed so well in this poem … Thanks Paul. Kind regards, Iris.
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on their behalf, I thank you, Iris
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I quite easily flowed with this, and some pretty interesting choices of words too.
This was very well done, Paul. Sincerely.
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thank you most kindly
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