Friday 1 April 2011

Coming Out of the Ghetto

I thought you might like to read this poem. I wrote it in May 2010 after I went to an event about disabled children's rights. Lots of people were talking about disabled children being in a ghetto and it got me thinking about it and then I wrote this poem. 
  Coming Out Of The Ghetto 

We are coming out of the ghetto, 
 We are shouting loud and clear, 
 About the rights that we have, 
 This is going to be our year.

 We are coming out of the ghetto, 
 We are going to join you all, 
 Full participation, 
 Is our clarion call. 

 Don't dare to underestimate 
 All that we can do, 
 We have our thoughts and with help 
 We are able too. 

 We may be small, may not walk, 
 May talk in different ways, 
 But with our determination 
 We'll set the world ablaze. 

 Give us disabled children 
 The voice we should have, 
 Stop deciding what is best for us, 
 We've really had enough. 

 We know our minds, if you just ask, 
 We'll tell you what we need, 
 Don't think you always know what's best, 
 Let us take the lead. 

 We are coming out of the ghetto, 
 We are shouting loud and clear, 
 About the rights that we have, 
 This is going to be our year. 

 We are coming out of the ghetto, 
 We are going to join you all, 
 Full participation, 
 Is our clarion call. 

 (c) Adam Bojelian, May 2010 
  All Rights Reserved

4 comments:

  1. adam... i love this poem!
    i wrote about you on my blog way back in july here http://touchandtickle.blogspot.com/2010/07/by-blink-of-eye.html
    because you made me smile during a really difficult time... eilidh my little girl was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy and is in a wheelchair
    the link to your fund-raising appeared in my facebook today so i thought that i would get in touch and say thank you for your poems - they inspire me!
    sheonad

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Sheonad - I'm glad you like my poems & thanks for promoting my Trike ride. Hi to Eilidh too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great poem, excellent, clear English. Have you ever listened to Elvis Presley's very sad song, "In The Ghetto?" Its one of my favourites - about what happens when young people who are marginalised dont get the education, love and support they need to acheieve their potential. The other song thios poem reminds me of is "Sisters are doing it for themselves" - you can google these both on Youtube if you want.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Baiterboy, glad you like my poem. I will definitely look for the songs you mentioned.

      Delete