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This feels like a good moment to share this poem, my take on Martin Neimoller’s original of the same name (see image above). Blessings all…xxx
First they came
after Martin Niemöller
First they came for our attention spans,
and we failed to notice them
leaching our capacity to focus, until lost
seconds became minutes, became hours,
devoured by screens that drained our sleep,
leaving us weak and returning
to feed from our own parasites.
Then they came for our curiosity,
and we didn’t make time to unpick
their headlines served loud and large,
we swallowed them whole,
finding ourselves too full for truth,
and growing fat on ‘facts’ that clogged
the narrow vessels of our intelligence.
Then they came for our trust,
and we didn’t dare lay bare
our mistakes and apologise, preferring to
lie, creating divisions so deep and wide
we lost sight of our responsibility for their beginnings
concluding instead such schisms had always
been there so where was the need to repair them.
Then they came for our affection,
and we didn’t question their poisonous
insinuation that all touch was sexual,
So innocent hugs were deemed risky
and we left our elderly in homes where
central heating and lap rugs
were considered warmth enough.
It’s been said they’re coming for compassion next.
Writing to Freedom said:
Poignant musings Harula. Let’s hope and act to keep kindness and inclusion alive.
Jonathan Mason said:
Wow! I bloomin’ love this Harula! Really on the button. And I hope you don’t mind, but I’m here (partly) because I’m raiding your ideas and thoughts about inspiration in our writing, for a series of short “lessons” I’m doing for young people in Newton Abbott. I will, of course, give credit to you. Is that okay?
harulawordsthatserve said:
Hi Jonathan! Thank you for your appreciation of this poem – I’d forgotten about it actually, good to re-read. And of course! Raid away! I’d be thrilled to know that what I have collated/shared here has been of use. All the best xx
Jonathan Mason said:
Great – thanks so much. It’s part of an online resouce for Outdare Music, Devon, where I’m down as the words and lyrics man!
harulawordsthatserve said:
That’s very cool! And you’re welcome 🙂 x