I have fled the violence in the home
I have fled the bully in the school
I have fled the war-torn countries
I have left the boat on the shore
and walked to look for food.
What is this need from hand to mouth,
to search in soil, to grow the wheat
to see the mill beside the water turn the wheel,
further down the stream, the stepping stones
children play and families watch
eat the picnic, bake the bread, life gets good;
I have a home, a car or get the bus
I have a boat and go back to water,
I have understood the bully
I have tried to understand the war
to see if I can liken it to the violence in the home
but I have memory and better choice
I have the truth to create debate, make believe
all this for hunger.
Johanna Boal and I live in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. I work as a librarian for the local council and in my spare time I love to read and write. I have been published by Ink, Sweat and Tears, Poetry Space, Open Mouse, Worktown, Bolton, Literary Review, Limerick and much more. I Had my first pamphlet, titled – Cardboard City, published by Poetry Space, Bristol 2014.
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