As I See It

Jewishpress.com - 2012 Photo of the Year

A photo hangs on a wall in a quiet a museum
showing
anguished father carrying 
his 
dead 
son 
wrapped in a white shroud down a narrow Gaza street 
full of long shrieking faces.
The brick walls appear to squeeze him closer to the others,
but it is despair 
that draws these tight quarters.
From the photo he screams: 
Help me!
The sky should not rain death!
Children should not die!
Not my son!

That's how I see it--
But where I see people,
you see only propaganda.

A newspaper sits on in a plush hotel lobby
showing 
brown girl riding
hot
government
bus. 
High school track star in relay of desperation to a strange land,
with head in hands and her dreams behind her.
It is fear
that keeps her in her seat.
From the photo she screams:
Help me!
I belong here!
I know no other country!
I pledge! I pray! I race!

That's how I see it--
But where I see people,
you see only propaganda.

A camera pans to a stark Aleppo hospital
showing
young man gasping
wrapped
in 
bandages.
His IV drips as talking heads chatter--
"Who burned his eyes? Who collapsed his lungs? Should we help?
Now on to the sports..."
It is --indifference
That helps them keep their distance.
From the photo he screams:
Help me! 
The breeze burns! 
I can trust no one--nothing!
Not sky! Not air! Nor heaven!

That's how I see it--
But where I see people,
You see only propaganda.



Copyright Hope A. Horner, 2013. Use with permission only. Contact author on gmail at hopeh1122. Follow on Twitter @HopeNote