A news photographer describes his experience with horror!
In honor of Kevin Carter; Kaffir lover.
Flip-Flop
“There are no flip-flops”, he said
There is only blood, corpses and mud
“This is a good picture”, he said
A prize is looming in the air
"It is a great shot"
I saw him
Crawling in the mud.
His face was burnt, bandaged
He lifted what was left of his hand
And I took the shot
I remember, I have seen him before
Was it on Bloody Sunday?
Was it somewhere else?
When snipers riddle his body with bullets
Was it somewhere else?
He was praying, kneeling never to rise again
I remember bombs falling
A dead little girl in his arms
Her blood on his face, scorching and hot
And I took the shot
A woman maddened with grief, pulling her hair
She hit me with all the strength she’s got
Was it because I took a shot?
A little girl was lying there
Her face was so serene
She had no arms or legs
Nothing left but a sweet little face
She was lying there and people were marching by
While vultures were hovering above
I took the shot
Little boys were apparitions
Bones crawling in the mud
I stood petrified
He reached with his hand and took my camera
He licked it as though it were a sweet
And I said no more shots
“Great work”, they said
“Your pictures deserve a prize.”
I smashed my camera
“Are you blind?” I screamed
“I’m not doing this for a prize.”
“Look at them; hungry, bleeding, dying.”
“These are your flip-flops, sir”
I remember, I was there
I know I took the shots!
Huda
I admire you for having the courage of your convictions !
You don't shirk the challenge
I love that in a writer...:D
Love and Harmony
Peter
Reviewed by Michael Wells (Reader)
Reviewed on May 11, 2006
I can identify several conflicts thru your lines
Hope that governments see the real picture and stop war and destruction
Yes, the world is really blind to them, hungry bleeding and dying
This is a true eye opener
God bless you, prophet
such a poignant piece, heartfelt and filled with grief. this is such a strong work, Huda, i think you should have it published professionally. it is good to read you...
(((huda))) powerful, heartwrending poem...images are graphic and intense...it brings back memories of "i've seen that before"...like the photos we've seen displayed in newsmagazines and on t.v...like september 11 being replayed over and over...*applause* for your courage in writing this, and for making us cringe...you have the talent of a great poet, to carry us into your work. (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :(
What a picture you paint! You really have a way w/ words.
Reviewed by Birdie Houston (Reader)
Reviewed on March 21, 2003
Makes one cringe to imagine such
Yikes !
Reviewed by Olivier Urbain
Reviewed on March 20, 2003
Dear Huda:
You are really quite an artist for peace!
Your poem is wonderful, and full of despair and horror.
It elegantly evoke a powerful disgust for war and violence in the reader.
We can imagine the photos even though they are only talked about.
Reviewed by Scott Anderson
Reviewed on March 16, 2003
I felt as if I was looking at a photo gallery, only the photos are full of horror. I like the way you combine different situations like war and famine to give us a wake up call. Yo're the one who deserves the prize.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Taylor (Reader)
Reviewed on March 16, 2003
Horrible. The vision, not the poetry.
Really graphic.
~E
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I admire you for having the courage of your convictions !
You don't shirk the challenge
I love that in a writer...:D
Love and Harmony
Peter
Hope that governments see the real picture and stop war and destruction
Yes, the world is really blind to them, hungry bleeding and dying
This is a true eye opener
God bless you, prophet
God bless,
Sandie.
Horrific poem with deeply symbolic images and verse - exceptionally penned poetess par excellent!!
Blessings,
Robert
Yikes !
You are really quite an artist for peace!
Your poem is wonderful, and full of despair and horror.
It elegantly evoke a powerful disgust for war and violence in the reader.
We can imagine the photos even though they are only talked about.
Really graphic.
~E