scant trees hold precious life in soil
downpours run without mercy
flushing minerals into low lands
charcoal created from the sparse bush
tiny fingers burn on hot boiling pot
of small green leaves collected
overfished waters leave nets lying empty
silent goat bones weave like shadows
stomachs ache like a black tooth decaying
blank stares of a slave child with a swollen belly
chained underneath the iron bed frame
outline of a starving dog, teats swinging,
maggots feasting on her back
the rainy season is all but a bad memory
Please read the rest of my poem by clicking on the following link:
HAITI-THE-FORGOTTEN-DYING-LAND
Photos by Joni Caggiano (Taken on a Mission Trip with the Hotes Foundation as a medical volunteer) – The Hotes Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that does not accept donations.
Excellent! Congratulations, Joni.
Thank you so much Tim I really appreciate your kindness and support. ❤️
Congratulations Joni. Your words certainly evoke the hopelessness that is Haiti, a carefree destination for vacations when it suits and a forgotten land when it does not. Stay well. Allan 🤗🤗
Thank you so much Allan. I heard about the lush and beautiful part of Haiti from people who have been there via cruise ships. Haiti now has less than one percent of it’s original forest. Knowing how much you love nature and photography, it would be heartbreaking to see what it looks like where most of its countrymen live. You and your family stay safe. Hugs 🤗 Joni
Sad; evocative; beautiful and thought provoking Joni! 💭🤔👋❤️
Oh thank you Ken. I truly appreciate your kind words. I hope you and your family are well. Please be careful and stay safe. Sending hugs and love to you and your loved ones. ❤️
We are safe and well Joni, thanks 😁 Right back at you! 😁😊
Ohh Congratulations my friend, both for the honor ( I love this magazine and their art and poetry) and also for your words…so raw and real and true. How well you paint this sad portrait of hopelessness, poverty, and unlivable conditions…abandoned by most of the world. Your heart is so big…your descriptions so powerful…you shock the sleeping world, awake with your word painting in super-realism. Big hugs Joni…You are amazing!
Oh thank you Karima. You are so wonderfully supportive and loving with your comments. Thank you for each and every word. Being in Haiti for me was like a slap in the face. I try very hard not to take our blessings for granted. I was frightened when I got to the airport which has since been updated a bit but nothing like what we are use too. Children malnourished, literally starving, completely naked and feces in the street. Blank faces were everywhere. The villagers treated had so many medical issues that many people would have been treated in the hospital in the US. My beautiful grandchildren were rescued from Haiti. They are such a blessing in my life and a constant reminder of just how many people are starving and in slavery today in our world.
I don’t know why Karima, but seeing that female dog with swollen teats, bones you could literally count and maggots feasting on her back caused me to loose any sense of composure. Karima I know you have a tender heart so I really appreciate the love you showed by reading this. Big hugs and love to you my dear friend. By the way your poem “Pale Veiled Memory,” on MasticadoresUSA was so incredibly beautiful. You bring a tremendous amount of beauty with your amazing work. https://Karima hoisin.com. Love ❤️ Joni
Congratulations, Joni. Your work deserves the recognition and touches my heart. Don’t let your tender heart become calloused.
Hi Tim you are so thoughtful. I do have a tender heart and I don’t think it will ever become calloused. I sure hope not anyway. Thank you for always being so tremendously supportive of my work. It really touches my heart. You and your sweetie stay well and be careful. Hugs and love to you two, Joni
Oh Joni, This was so sad and made me cry for the Haitian People. There is so much I am thinking about that country and nothing that I personally can do about their plight! Congratulations on having it published. Sending hugs. ❤❤❤❤
Hello dear Brenda. You have a tender heart too. Thank you for this gracious and thoughtful comment and your sweet support. Thank you for your well wishes too. I need to go into your sight today and see if you have any more of you wonderfully written family stories. Big hugs and my love, Joni ❤️🤗🦋
Thank you so much Joni…but oh my…yes I am sensitive and that image of the dog was so strong.. and you know somewhere, there are cats and people in the same stat:(. Your beautiful grandchildren were given a new life with your family.. How incredible is that?…Such a good destiny to be taken in by all of you. They were the lucky ones…and yet so many made it too your country seeking refuge and were sent back!!. I am sure somewhere deep inside you wanted to rescue everyone..I know I would have too. Love, Karima❤️ https://karimahoisan.com/
You are so right. Thank you again for all your very kind words Karima. They mean so much. Blessings and love to you sweetheart. Please be safe. ❤️🤗🦋🙏Joni
Wow. You truly are gifted. That poem was moving and descriptive.
Thank you so much Mary. I appreciate you reading and commenting. I am glad you were moved by my words. ❤️🤗🦋
Oh, what a heart wrenching and beautiful poem, Joni. “how do I leave and
how can they stay,
doubting I will ever rest again
I weep hopeful petals as I pray” Amazing. Congratulations on the pub. Hugs and love. ❤️❤️
Oh thank you so much Jeff I am so appreciative of your thoughtfulness and support. Sending hugs and love to you and your loved ones. ❤️🤗🦋🥰🙏
You’re most welcome, Joni. Always my pleasure. Oh, thank you for the love and hugs. Happy Sunday, dear friend. 🙏❤️✨🌻🌹🥰
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A heartbreaking photograph of words of life in Haiti, Joni. It’s hard to imagine the circumstances in so many third world countries and even in the ghettos and slums of America. Children and women suffering such cruelty, starvation and trafficking. Congratulations on this evocative poem. ❤️
It is so heartbreaking. Thank you for your very kind words. Yes, we must not forget the slums in the US. A very good point. When we visited my daughter and family for thanksgiving I was shocked at how many homeless there are and the way they live.
Holly bless you and your big heart. Please stay safe. Sending prayers for blessings for you and your loved ones. ❤️🤗🦋
Back to you sweet Joni. You are a darling! Sending prayers out for you and yours. Be safe and happy. ❤️🥰
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how beautiful, Joni! <3
Mazal tov,
David
תודה רבה דוד. אני באמת מעריך את הקריאה שלך, אני יודע שאתה בטח עסוק מאוד בעבודה שלך ובפרסומים שלך. יהי רצון שאתה ומשפחתך תישארו בטוחים ותשלחו תפילות לברכות שיגיעו אליכם, מחבקת ג’וני
תודה רבה דוד. אני באמת מעריך את הקריאה שלך, אני יודע שאתה בטח עסוק מאוד בעבודה שלך ובפרסומים שלך. יהי רצון שאתה ומשפחתך תישארו בטוחים ותשלחו תפילות לברכות שיגיעו אליכם, מחבקת ג’וני
Congratulations Joni! Your words are a testament, an indictment, a plea and a prayer. In conclusion your verses represent what the art of poetry is, a means to communicate and as all artists should do, you have voiced the words of your heart in pursuit of a solution to a deepening crisis. I sincerely applaud you! Wishing you and Scott a wonderful evening and sending our love, peace and happiness,
Francis
Thank you with all my heart for your truly beautiful words about my work, they have really touched this tender heart. Thank you for your very kind wishes Francis and Scott and I both wish you a blessed and wonderful evening. Sending our love too. Joni
You’re very welcome Joni, a blessed day to you both.♥️🙏🏻🌹
Many congratulations dear, Joni…the sad truth…expressed beautifully by you ✨❤️💫
Thank you dear Navin. It is sad but needs to be told. I am so glad you like the way I wrote about my experience. It means a lot to me. ❤️🤗🦋
You’re welcome, dear Joni…true, it needs to be told…much love ✨❤️💫
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It’s such a beautiful one. Leaves one feeling so weighed down and also empty inside. You’ve given strength to suffering through your words. 🙂
Thank you so much Terveen. There is suffering everywhere but it doesn’t make it easier to see. I appreciate your kind comment and you reading. I hope you are having a good start to your busy week. Sending hugs and blessings, Joni ❤️🦋
Gripping poem! The lines “how do I leave and how can they stay” really struck me. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much. I am glad that you liked those lines. That is really how I felt when I knew we were leaving the next day. I appreciate you reading and your kind comment. Thank you and have a blessed week. Hugs, Joni
Congratulations, Joni: both for the publication of a fantastic poem, and for raising awareness ❤️
Thank you Ingrid I really appreciate your comment. I have dreamed of being in Edge of Humanity since I started writing again. So thanks again and have a blessed week. ❤️
I am so glad you achieved this dream: may many more come true for you! ❤️
Thank you so much Ingrid and I haven’t had a chance to comment yet but a big congratulations to your new book coming out soon. I love the title and the cover. Bravo 🙌 happy for you. Blessings to you and wishing your poetry will touch and bless many people with your beautiful prose. Hugs 🤗 Joni
Thank you so much Joni! 🥰
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You have touchingly described the plight of so many in your written words. A sad, but strong worded piece, thank you Joni for caring <3. Great writing and stunning images
Thank you so much for your kind words. Hope all is well Henrietta. Sending hugs 🤗 Love Joni
What a haunting poem about the world we live in and sometimes it can send us into despair, but we hope and we wish …
Yes indeed. Thank you my friend and hope you and your family are all well. Sending love, Joni
what a heartbreaking piece Joni that you delivered so well and speaking up and out raising awareness. thanks you and congratulations my friend.💖
Thank you Cindy I appreciate your reading and your support as always. Please take care of yourself sweetheart. Love you ❤️❤️🌹