“Eye of Ignorance” by Alina Mar
what price ignorance
wretched unschooled
who number in billions
no continent free
despite our technology
interconnecting
live communication
where the teachers
where the classrooms
where the outrage
how did it happen
how does it resolve
how can we help
when lessons lost
when concern blunted
when hope dashed
why pay attention
why give a damn
why dream of more
which ideas unimagined
which talents untapped
which thoughts unheard
what cures undeveloped
what books unwritten
what histories unread
mean circumstance traps
too many young minds
in merciless jaws
of vicious illiteracy
will it end then or ever
will it end now or never
(originally posted April 2013)
Poesy plus Polemics 
very good point Paul…but all is not lost…I was basically illiterate when I left school…I could sign my name and fill out an application as long as it was a standard application that didn’t deviate from the generic forms…I was passed along to the next grade and the next without learning until I dropped out at age 15…Education was less important back then in terms of finding employment…now you need a degree to work at Mcdonalds…yes I know it’s an exaggeration but not by much…thank you for tackling this important issue…drop out rates are hitting epidemic numbers…how many Einsteins are being lost because the system is failing them…I believe education (including Higher Education) should be free, it is one off the best investments a society can make…
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What an amazing story, TJ. Must have been quite a journey from there to here. Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished.
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I loved this, Paul. Love the format and form, too. Suits the subject matter.
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That’s sweet to say.
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Truly, illiteracy is a horrible poverty.
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it crushes me to think of the lost potential
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Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
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Poignant, Paul.
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thanks kindly
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I love this poem. I share your concern with our “educations” dismantlement into institutions of mere socialization and abandonment of critical thinking.
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I sincerely appreciate your perspective
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Powerful protest! It is heartbreaking to lose a generation to ignorance.
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amen – it seems especially entrenched in some 3rd world populations
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