Photo: AFP

Two Dozen African Girls

Two dozen African girls
Found floating in the sea
We live in what kind of world
That this is on page three?

If this happened on the Hudson
Or on Long Island Sound
No story line above them
Cameras all around

We hear so much that distance
Doesn’t matter in this age
Months become just minutes
Everybody shares the stage

We sparkle and we swirl
We are famous we are free
Two dozen African girls
Found floating in the sea

Two dozen African girls
Found floating in the sea
Amongst the eddys and the whorls
Indifferent to their pleas

Names unknown barely grown
From Libya they fled
They were owned by men who groaned
And raped them in their beds

How to explain indifference
Will we not claim our daughters
How do we bridge this distance
Across white and western waters

We want to change the world
But  can’t be free till we see
Two dozen African girls
Found floating in the sea

Two dozen African girls
Found floating in the sea

Page three

Throughout November I am writing a poem a day in an effort to raise money for The Center for New Americans, an organization that is located in Western Massachusetts and does great work in acclimating our new citizens to their new homes.

You may help by going here.

If you appreciate my efforts and my work please share.

Also, most of you know I am moving to Oregon at the end of the year. Before I leave I will bedoing two shows.  Both will be in Amherst at the NACUL Center at 7:00 on November 30 and December 7. Proceeds will benefit The Center for New Americans.

I will be joined by these fine musicians: Joe Ricker, Andrew Atkin, Dave Haughey, Billy Klock and Dan Thomas.