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literature
Dirty Little Five Letter Word
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Literature Text
I like it
When I make
A child’s arm shrivel.
It thrills me
To turn strong legs useless.
Burdensome.
Something to drag around.
To have such an effect on people
Is real power.
My whole purpose, you see, is to
Dash the expectations of youth
Like baby seals
Smashed for their downy-silk coats.
And to steal breath.
Full breath. Cleansing breath.
At every opportunity.
It’s so fun.
Especially because
I get to play
With the children.
The ones who have
So much growing to do.
So much exploring.
So much learning.
Well,
I’ll put a stop to that.
You might not know me.
I’m not often discussed
In polite company.
But I’ll bet that your parents knew me.
I was the terror that
Kept them awake
Those hot summer nights.
And in the right neighborhoods
Mothers and fathers tremble
At my name
Even today.
I laugh about that.
And I keep laughing
As I watch another child stumble –
For no apparent reason –
Knowing that he will
Never pull himself up
On to two feet again.
Who can be that feared?
Who can be that powerful?
Only me.
My name is Polio.
And I –
HATE –
Rotarians.
A Dirty Little Five Letter Word
© 2008 Mark Pearce
When I make
A child’s arm shrivel.
It thrills me
To turn strong legs useless.
Burdensome.
Something to drag around.
To have such an effect on people
Is real power.
My whole purpose, you see, is to
Dash the expectations of youth
Like baby seals
Smashed for their downy-silk coats.
And to steal breath.
Full breath. Cleansing breath.
At every opportunity.
It’s so fun.
Especially because
I get to play
With the children.
The ones who have
So much growing to do.
So much exploring.
So much learning.
Well,
I’ll put a stop to that.
You might not know me.
I’m not often discussed
In polite company.
But I’ll bet that your parents knew me.
I was the terror that
Kept them awake
Those hot summer nights.
And in the right neighborhoods
Mothers and fathers tremble
At my name
Even today.
I laugh about that.
And I keep laughing
As I watch another child stumble –
For no apparent reason –
Knowing that he will
Never pull himself up
On to two feet again.
Who can be that feared?
Who can be that powerful?
Only me.
My name is Polio.
And I –
HATE –
Rotarians.
A Dirty Little Five Letter Word
© 2008 Mark Pearce
In the mid 1980s the Rotary International organization began a campaign to eradicate the Polio virus from the face of the Earth. At the time the goal was seen as an overambitious and idealistic by many; but Rotary, partnering with the World Health Organization, The United Nations, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and many other partners are on the verge of bringing that dream to fruition.
The Polio virus is now endemic in only four countries in the world – Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria.
I’m sorry for the ugly tenor of this work, but I felt it was important to inform (or to remind) people how ugly and devastating the Polio disease is, so that we might all maintain the resolve and commitment to finish off this scourge once and forever.
The Polio virus is now endemic in only four countries in the world – Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria.
I’m sorry for the ugly tenor of this work, but I felt it was important to inform (or to remind) people how ugly and devastating the Polio disease is, so that we might all maintain the resolve and commitment to finish off this scourge once and forever.
Comments28
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The personification of an illness like this is just creepy. It's a very well written poem mark and an exteamly good cause.