[Critique Group 2] Leonard's comments on Val's sub for April

[tuchyner5 at aol.com]

In some ways this poem is a littlereminiscent  of the Merchant of Venice.  The title is pprovocative.   This title and  the contents sets a tenor of feelingdismissed and typecast by an ignorant and predjudicial public.. Of course thisattitude is not that of all he public. So I wonder whether that is aconsideration that the piece shuld address, or at least qualify   that the sentiments are not being aplieduniversaly  On the other hand, the piecespeaks of the dignity and power  ofpeople and their worth regardless of what physical, mental or emotionalhandicaps they may be bujrdened with. It urges all people to be open minded,non-judgemental and urges them to put themselves in the shoes of others. Thepoem aludes to the personal experience of the writer, especially since she ispart of the ‘we’ that she speaks of, and for whom she asks understanding andfreedom from stereotypes. The possitive and negative  messages in this piece are blended with eachother. 




 



 


Throw Away People




 


Valerie Moreno




 



 


Truly, 




 


we are not throwaway people.




 


We may beelderly, but we have wisdom.




 


We may be poor,but we are not worthless.




 



 


We may bedisabled, but we are not helpless.




 


We may bedifferent from you,




 


but we cherishour dreams as you do.




 


Listen,



titles bind us, lovefrees captives.



Would you livewhere we live?



Hear our story oflife without judging?



Acceptance is thegolden thread of unity.




 


Beyond cliche's,slogans, assumptions,



our hearts beat,our eyes shed tears, hope endures.



We have substanceand reality,



beyond mentalbarriers you've created to explain us,



dismiss us, putus in a locked box.




 


Open!



Understand we canmake a difference,



share our uniquegifts to encourage others to flourish.



We can do allthis if you take off the blinders.



We matter.



We are not throwaway people!


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