Rayleigh Library Writers Group Blog

We are a diverse group from all walks of life. Our passion is to write; to the best of our ability and sometimes beyond. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month, to read and critique our work in friendly, open discussion. However, the Group is not solely about entertaining ourselves. We support THE ESSEX AND HERTS AIR AMBULANCE by producing and selling anthologies of our work. So far we have raised in excess of £9,700, by selling our books at venues throughout Essex.

Friday, 7 August 2020

SELFISH

by Rosemary Clarke

As long as I'm alright they can rape, torture and kill.
As long as I'm alright they can do what they will.
My family's safe, what do I care? As long as I'm alright it doesn't matter there.
As long as I'm alright I can simply watch the news.
Knowing I've paid my taxes, paid my dues.
I'm snug in my home, I know where the family are.
As long as I'm alright the world won't stretch that far.
As long as I'm alright I shouldn't make a fuss.
We've always been told it's them and us.
But what if the ones I loved were homeless or dead..
Would I start to realize and care instead?
What if they went missing, shut away in camps, lying far away in the cold and damp.
Their bodies cut and bleeding and wrenched with pain...could I say I'm alright, could I? Ever again?
We are putty for the governors, let ourselves stand tall.
A world that unites truth and peace, will NEVER NEVER fall.

Copyright Rosemary Clarke