What Would You Do?
What would you do
When the thin line between
Right and wrong blurs?
When the outcries of the dead
Scream justice but the world
Responds with more deaths?
When humans refuse to be human
And the border that protects
now destroys, what would you do?
In response to dVerse’s Poetics: Border. Today, Grace asks us to write about borders— physical or imaginary boundaries.
The image is above is a a painting by Filipino artist, Juan Luna, entitled Spoliarium. Our country and the people are in great divide right now with the ongoing war on drugs. Thousands are already dead but counting still goes on. When did death becomes the answer?
Head over here to join the fun!
DoodleScribbles 
August 23, 2017 at 4:47 pm
I’m so sorry your country is still going through this lawless chaos. It must be exhausting and scary. “when humans refuse to be humans.”
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August 24, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Thank you.. Exhausting, yes that’s the way to describe it. And saddening too that the people are divided in this issue.
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August 23, 2017 at 4:54 pm
What a challenging poem, very powerful. ‘The border that protects / now destroys’ – such a strong line.
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August 24, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Thank you, Katie. It does makes me reflect, what would we do when these borders blur?
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August 23, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Pray for PH …..ahhh …nakakalungkot..
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August 24, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Amen to that, Mich.. we can only hope the people won’t be too narrow and close-minded.
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August 23, 2017 at 10:05 pm
I read this powerful poem maria and Rosema’s, on the same events, and send my thoughts over to you all. What would happen to the world if there were no borders. Would we still need to fight?
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August 24, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Exactly my thoughts, D. Are we better off if we don’t have these imaginary borders- color, race, religion, social status, and such? I do think these aren’t the main issue here. It’s respect. As for the line that separates right from wrong, what happens when this blurs?
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August 24, 2017 at 10:11 pm
I agree maria. There are so many complexities in todays issues. It is hard to know where to start. As you say, knowing right from wrong and respect are good starting points.
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August 24, 2017 at 1:29 am
This was a powerful piece, Maria. I am sorry for what your country is going through.
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August 24, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Thank you so much, Muse. 🙂
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August 24, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Most welcome, Maria! ^.^
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August 24, 2017 at 2:46 am
Love the questions in this Maria. Thought provoking indeed. We should all ask ourselves this question.
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August 24, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Yes, I agree. Thanks for dropping by, Carrie.
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August 24, 2017 at 4:04 am
I share my concern over the simplicity of power when death is the answer.
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August 24, 2017 at 12:19 pm
A very tempting shortcut nowadays, don’t you think Bjorn?
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August 24, 2017 at 6:45 am
I don’t agree with Duterte’s strategy at all, from the beginning ~ EVeryone should have their due in court, and should not be part of “collateral” damage ~ I would raise my voice, as loud as I could ~
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August 24, 2017 at 12:21 pm
I couldn’t agree more, Grace. What’s saddening is that some people are okay with this so-called “collateral damage” and some think that PURGING these addicts will make a significant change. This war on drugs is only cutting off the branches. The government can’t even touch the root.
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August 24, 2017 at 9:50 am
Trump’s bullying & other lovely traits, the drug war, racism, xenophobia–the list is too long, while kindness & love, empathy & compassion are kicked to the curb; hell of a mess.
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August 24, 2017 at 12:22 pm
A hell of a mess. Really. And the world watches.
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August 24, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Nicely done, Maria! Aside from praying, I feel sadly rather powerless…
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August 24, 2017 at 12:22 pm
I feel you, Jael. I feel sad and powerless amid these issues, not only in the PH but around the world. Sending you hugs.
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August 24, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Because the Internet, specifically blogging, has brought people like you and Rosey (and others) close to my heart–the tragedies which were once “distant news”, now tend to affect me more deeply. I would be so sad if I lost any of my international blog sisters… Hugs to you, Darling girl ❤ ❤ ❤
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August 24, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Aww.. same here, Jael. Keep safe, always. ❤ Bloggosphere has always been a safe heaven for most of us here. This is where we escape from all the tragedies of the real world.
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August 24, 2017 at 2:01 pm
You’re so right–we come together to share tears, love, joys, and lots of words 🙂
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August 24, 2017 at 8:56 pm
It’s just heartbreaking. I don’t know how else to describe it. 💕💕
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August 24, 2017 at 10:09 pm
It’s a good question and I wish I knew a way to make sure I did the right thing.
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August 25, 2017 at 3:31 am
This broke my heart.
‘When humans refuse to be human’.
I am so sorry this is happening where your at and the world itself.
I don’t know who said this quote but here it is:
‘History doesn’t repeat itself, Man repeats history’. unknown author
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August 25, 2017 at 11:30 am
Your country seems under siege by a brutal regime. I love Charlize’s quote above. Your poem seems a plea for sanity in the face of insanity. My thoughts are with you.
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August 28, 2017 at 9:18 am
when humans forget humanity… a powerfully sad poem
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August 29, 2017 at 5:57 pm
be human. be human. never forget to be human. sigh. sigh. powerful, dearie.
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September 6, 2017 at 6:23 pm
Sometimes I wonder if the entire human race was wiped out, would this world be a better place? Humans seemed to be bringing in chaos more than anything on this planet! Never understood the logic of killing people.
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