By Willie Nemeth

(Reflections on my most recent mission outreach to the garbage dump in Guatemala City, Guatemala.)

framed in desolation
pelted by dust
discarded tinsel shines
plastic bags swirl
as vultures float
to land on barbed wire tines.

a sandstorm hell
a rotting heap
where children work and play
an addicts park
a demons haunt
no tourist comes this way.

gaunt figures grope
and sift through trash
to earn a meager wage
a girl of ten
with child in tow
looks more than twice her age.

a cardboard shack
with hot tin roof
a makeshift home for ten
a parasites dream
with mangy dogs
and cruel oppressive men.
the pain is great
this life is harsh
we have to live this way
we welcome you
to tinsel town
please dont plan to stay.

Copyright © Willie Nemeth.

(The poem is available to general media, publications and webmasters under condition that the author's name and the link to www.paulmurphybooks.com will be provided under the poem.)

BACK