My poem haiti-the forgotten dying land now featured on edge of humanity

Posted on by jonicaggiano
Poem by Joni Caggiano published first in the Anthology – The Inner Eye by Poet’s Choice (Photographs taken in Haiti – See photos below – by Joni)

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.

52 thoughts on “My poem haiti-the forgotten dying land now featured on edge of humanity”

  2. 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 🤗🤗

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. 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

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  4. 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!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. 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

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. 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

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  6. 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. ❤❤❤❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. 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 ❤️🤗🦋

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  7. 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/

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  9. 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. ❤️❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  10. 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. ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. 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. ❤️🤗🦋

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. 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

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  12. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. 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

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. 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

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. 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 ❤️🦋

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. 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

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. 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

        Liked by 2 people

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s