Ben Bohnhorst
The Horn Of Africa

With dry martinis in hand we watch TV
portray a drought in Ethiopia,
which we are really not in a mood to see.
We much prefer to deal with trivia.
So we switch to "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,"
remove the dying child s gaunt face, wan eyes,
dead cattle rotting in the open air,
thin hands too weak to brush away the flies.

Next morning over breakfast as we sift
reports of how our stocks and bonds are faring,
what if the columned numbers fade and shift,
and a child-like death s head rise with eye-holes staring?

Is there a way that famine is our fault?
If not, why do we feel these pangs of guilt?


Copyright © 2001 Ben Bohnhorst
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