by Frances Roberts.
Consider what we have here:
a world with starving millions
at one end of the spectrum
and at the other
those with a fortune in millions.
Thousands of the poorest human beings
are on the move
from famine war or persecution.
The children for the most part
are already damaged by their destitution
or experiences.
The wealthy for the most part
close their borders
against what they see
as unmanageable need.
What are they saying without saying?
That the less fortunate should be helped to die
by prevention of assimilation anywhere?
Is that the secret map
that leaves the well established
undisturbed?
What have we become
in criminalising acts of assistance
gagging those who speak out
penalising those who would assist
the desperate
even to the point of preventing
rescue from the sea?
The gangs of profiteers
who present to ‘support’ these desperate folk
are the consequence
of our own denial of assistance
in appalling human suffering
and of our unconcern at criminalising
those who flee.
We are all one species.
Which of you who want to block the access
of these poor souls
will say instead ‘let’s execute them’?
And yet you may as well:
it is the secret language you all speak
with your guns and wires and barriers.