[Critique Group 2] Emailing: The Vast Unwanted--For 11-29-18 critique session.

[James]

Hi Group Two,

No matter which position one holds on the immigration issue as it impacts
the United States, I believe we all should be outraged over the   hatred and
dehumanization heaped upon refugees by many seeking to divert focus from the
actual problem. Displaced, poor people are not the enemy. They're just doing
what anyone else would do in their situation.

***

The Vast Unwanted
Creative nonfiction by Brad Corallo
Word count 283

After Nine days on the road,
almost all of their supplies had been exhausted.
The water skins and food bags were empty. 
Wearily they trudged, covered by the dust of the road.
Their exposed skin sun burnt and insect ravaged. 
The man carried a long knife and
a meter long heavy cudgel hung from his belt.
On her right hand the woman wore a ring
with a concealed spring loaded razor blade 
to seriously discourage wood-be rapists.
Their two children with distended bellies combed the roadsides
Seeking for anything edible or useful. 
The animals, a goat and a dog;
ribs showing through dry mangy pelts,
trailed behind looking for unconsumed crumbs. 

Bombs had devastated their last temporary home,
a squalid transit camp belonging to no country.
They had no definite destination;
just anywhere with a chance to work,
find water and buy some food. 
They were part of the vast unwanted.
Ever increasing populations scattered Around the world.
They had no homes, no countries,
few friends still living
and no definite prospects.
Once, they had hope.
But, like the food and water, none remained.
In spite of this, they continued to move forward doggedly.
Because, you never know,
around the next turn, their might be 
a fellow traveler with 
a crust of bread and a kind word to spare. 

Who are these people?
They are everyone and no one.
They are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters
swept aside, rootless and wandering.
They are members of the human race,
hated by many 
and shown compassion by shockingly few,
other than some of their own. 

Where and when was the kindness and decency of our species lost? 

jamesstarfire at gmail.com  
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