What Price Literacy? Poem by Martin O'Neill

What Price Literacy?

Rating: 4.9


An extraordinary time you have waited
Quiet, in no kind of rush
You must be pleased now that it's over
Your time in the African bush

The grass stalks that rippled around you
The animals passing you by
The fierce yellow sun beating down
From the blue of your African sky.

When you finally burst into flower,
In blossoms of yellow and red
The eight year old girl who unearthed you
Couldn't read the notice that said

Achtung! Minen!

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
As an ex-Sapper (HM Royal Engineers) I have a lot of experience of land mines and the devastation they cause, particularly in the old and new war zones of Africa. This is an observation on that legacy.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Sue S. 08 April 2012

I gasped out loud in horror at the last line. I didn't see that coming - but then I guess that was the point. An excellent poem.

3 0 Reply
Wahab Abdul 19 March 2012

A BRILLIANT PIECE OF POETRY, GOOD MEANING AND HEAVY IMPACT ON THE MIND.

3 0 Reply
Susan Jarvis 01 August 2008

Potent and poignant. An impacting and emotive metaphor. S :)

2 0 Reply

Erudite, touching and thought-provoking. t x

2 0 Reply
Fay Slimm 06 January 2009

An end line never to be forgotten Martin - - -- - yes at what price literacy... a fine appeal written forcefully....... thank you....... Fay.

2 0 Reply
Rajnish Manga 14 December 2014

Congratulations, Martin, your poem is Today's Special. The poem is impressive mainly because of its emotional content and appeal. Thanks for your notes about the poem.

3 0 Reply
Kim Barney 14 December 2014

Fabulous poem, Martin. Also, congratulations for having it chosen as poem of the day on December 14 for three years in a row now!

0 0 Reply
Gangadharan Nair Pulingat 14 December 2014

A thought provoking poem and it is nice.

0 0 Reply
Gangadharan Nair Pulingat 14 December 2014

A thought provoking poem and it is nice.

0 0 Reply
Pranab K Chakraborty 14 December 2014

Treasure is its simple and lucid expression. The poem penetrate direst to the reader's heart. Small but unique. Thanks for sharing.

1 0 Reply
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Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill

Solihull, Birmingham, England
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