THE BOY ON THE BEACH

THE BOY ON THE BEACH … Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

In memory of little Aylan Kurdi – a child whose right to a peaceful future  was cut short.

So little, so small, quite tiny, not tall

and lying so still on the sand,

caressed by the waves – a young life unsaved

and cast there by fate’s stroke of hand.

Dressed up in his best, he lies now at rest

but peace in his lifetime not found

and now it’s too late – we bemoan his fate

aspersions are cast all around.

He was only a kid – just an innocent soul

brother Galip, Mum Rehan as well.

Freedom all they asked… a safe place, a repast

but we’ve now plunged a family in hell.

And that little red shirt, face down in the dirt

on the sand and the pebbles of Bodrum

never did any harm, he was young, full of charm

and now of his life we have robbed him.

From Syria they fled where years of war bled

a country dry – and all hope was fading.

And the island of Greece seemed to offer some peace

from a hopelessness all too pervading.

Rest in peace little Aylan – the world let you down

and for that none of us can atone.

It’s not too much to ask, for a life, for a chance …

a safe place that a child can call home.

TANGO - ARGENTINIAN

TANGO – ARGENTINIAN

Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

Spawned in the backstreet brothels

and bordellos of Buenos Aires

the ballet –like dance

‘the tango of the compadron’

between consenting males

flourished.

Men danced -

locked in symbolic mortal combat

in the steamy heat

– bodies brushing,

touching, embracing

in a dance of passion…

Until women were drawn

to the raunchy masculinity

of the predatory male

and wove their limbs sinuously

in syncopated rhythm

to the music of the guitars,

play acting the role

of pimp and prostitute

bodies pressed breast to chest.

Now sleek evening gowns

black tuxedos, top hats and spats

replaced the rough dress

of the compadron.

The argentine tango became gentrified.

But still on dark nights

on cobbled streets in corners of the old town

couples dance –

joined at the hip

beneath the light of the street lamps

to a guitar playing

with passion and fire

a syncopated  ostinato rhythm.