By Robert Witmer
Tokyo, Japan
light
imprisoned in diamonds
the dark mine a dollar a day
windblown sand –
children in rags
staring as the boat recedes
orphans at the stoplight
together
we roll up our windows
winter
a bent spoon
in an empty pot
shoe polish
the toxic smell
of unemployment
a few stars
fewer leaves
his cardboard home
a rainbow ribbon
on a rich man’s sky
tree stumps
outside the new megastore
empty shopping carts
for the homeless
yesterday’s snow
under a naked tree
a homeless woman awaiting spring
old nails squeaking
in shrinking wood
campaign promises
the populist’s campaign
a loud speaker
distorts the platitudes
air raid
our last loaf of bread
blackens in the oven
a child’s balloon
drifts away
the wall crowned with broken bottles
First published: Drifting Sands Haibun, Issue 17
Human rights encompasses a great deal. As stated in the Preamble to the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” Extreme inequality has profound human rights implications. Nearly 10% of the world’s population lives in extreme poverty, and over 40% live on less than $5.50 per day, thus depriving those members of the human family access to basic needs and services.