Refugee Camp

Daily Prompt, poems, poetry, The Daily Post, Uncategorized, ,

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if I were more daring I’d be out in Greece
working in a camp to help the refugees
but as I am a coward I stay at home instead
tapping on my laptop; sleeping late in bed

This isn’t quite accurate, but I hope you’ll allow me some poetic licence; I’ve been asked to go and work in a refugee camp, but,  because of commitments at home, I’m not currently in a position to do so.

It’s frustrating.

The Daily Post #Daring

©Jane Paterson Basil

 

16 thoughts on “Refugee Camp”

  1. Shame you can’t go. A change of scenery would do you the world of good, and you would be doing good deeds at the same time, so the good would come back to you, and the recipients of the goodness would feel good too 🙂 Perhaps there will be another opportunity – that would be good!

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        1. Never – but my nephew is over there, and he’s spotted a job he reckons is perfect for me; organising and and doling out supplies. My anxiety makes it impossible for me to work, I think if I was away from here I’d be OK. He’s prepared to risk it, and so am I.

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  2. It is frustrating for those of us who would “do more” but my solution is to do what needs to be done right here, and as long as I’m “doing it” then my conscience is almost clear – and yes, I say almost because being a member of the privileged minority we can never totally escape a kind of guilt complex – can’t escape all the ways we can attest to having been compliant, acquiescent, even supportive, of an oppressive regime that ultimately and increasingly takes advantage of our complacency. But I never do guilt to the point of distress, stress or depression. I know my limits. And I do remain open to “doing more” if it comes to that.

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    1. When the horror of what was happening in Rumania came to light, over 25 years ago, I felt horribly guilty that I wasn’t in a position to go out there and help the orphans. since then I’ve learnt to be more realistic. I don’t feel guilty about not going to Greece, but I want to go at some point, if I can.

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    1. That’s an interesting question – I get anxious about leaving home, but as soon as I’m away I feel much stronger and more able to deal with life. I think it’s more difficult to cope with the frustration of not being able to go, but I’ll stop thinking about it, as I hope to go in late November anyway.

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  4. No doubt the experience would be enriching, but you gotta trust your gut, too. Of course there’s always the possibility that getting away and leaving the babies to learn to swim on their own might not be such a bad idea…

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