Crime and Punishment

By Bee

Tue, 10 Jun 2014
  • 15314 reads
31 comments
 

First off, (where I come from) a hole is dug - 
just the right circumference for say, 
a murderer, or maybe a harlot 
or an alleged adulteress to stand in. 

A man may be allowed his arms and hands 
to be free, and if he is able to escape, 
he may be granted pardon from further punishment. 
But a female will be buried up to the neck.

Well, they had dug two holes with precision 
and lined them with empty oil drums, 
and while we were waiting, a tipper truck
arrived and emptied out a pyramid of broken bricks

from a nearby demolition site
so that those without sin might avail themselves
with ammunition to throw with gusto
at the hopeless sinning prisoners.

Then two small harlots, feet shackled 
and arms strapped to their side were led
from a van and carefully lifted and fitted into each hole
so that just their heads were visible.

Someone read out 'Bla bla bla...' 
for about half an hour and then men were urged
to pick up bricks and hurl them at the heads
which couldn't duck from danger.

After about quarter of an hour,
all went quiet. Someone stepped forward and said,
'This one's not dead, so another one stepped up
and with one final crack, the job was done.

Immorality is not allowed in this land and anyone 
who comes under scrutiny and is found guilty 
will be punished. Why anyone would think 
of committing wrongdoing is beyond comprehension.

 

Certificate 15
Poem
Crime

Comments

Submitted by scratch on

That is powerful.  The raw emotion tumbles out of it like the rocks out of the back of that lorry.  Odd that we both should touch on the theme of hypocrisy but approach it in different ways and different genres.  Conviction oozes out from this Bee.  Well done.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi scratch.

I'm pleased you got the feeling behind it. Thank you very much - I really appreciate your comments.

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

If you wrote such in fiction, you would be accused of exaggeration probably. To what depths humanity can sink, especially when afraid not to conform. Where did you glean this tale? Rhiannon
 

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Rhiannon. 

I know what you mean about the sounding exaggerated - it's just too dreadful. I was researching about Farzana when I came across an interview of someone who had been to an execution by stoning, and then I was checking for news about the Nigerian girls kidnapped from their school and stumbled on a video the kidnappers claimed was of one of those girls getting stoned to death. It still might be, but it could have been of a Somalian girl from an earlier time. You'll never know how much I wish I'd never watched it. She was so brave and calm.

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It  is the videoing aspect, and it would seem the lack of sober trial, and the apparent pleasure and fickleness in accusing and carrying out judgement that is puzzling and shocking. Or am I wrong? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Rhiannon.

You are right in all your thinking there. All those those elements were apparent, and it was like - look at what we do!

There often is a trial, but whether it's a fair one is debatable. Just last week I read about a young girl who went through what was described in my piece, and was heard to cry and beg not to be killed. They said (if I remember right) that she was a 23 year old woman who had been to court for a fair trial and had admitted to adultery, but it turned out she was a 13 year old girl / child who had been raped. There are many examples of being punished thus for the same 'crime'. But as you say, the worst of it is in the apparent pleasure derived in the carrying out of so called justice.

Bee

Submitted by scratch on

I can't even bear to think of it.  I feel like I'm some sort of voyeur, denying yet knowing this is going on.  

 

Submitted by Bee on

Me too. Thanks for that - makes me feel I'm not alone.

Bee

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Bee

I too found this very hard to read. And we know that it is true - and not even all that uncommon in some countries - and some of the people in those countries feel it is not only justified, but required.

Well done for making us face reality.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Jean. It is hard to think about. And harder for us to understand how often it is the family who wish to end a daughter's life in such a barbaric way, as in the case of the 13 year old who's father instigated the stoning because she had, they said, been raped by three men. 

Bee

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

You send a powerful message, Bee. Hard to believe that such barbarity could be perpetrated. And yet we are told that their religion is peaceful.

Luigi

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Luigi. Very hard to believe.

Bee

Submitted by scratch on

We must always bear in mind that religions don't stone people to death PEOPLE stone people to death.  

 

Submitted by Bee on

That's a very good point, scratch - and just what I was thinking, too.  You got that in before me. I was about to post a comment to make it clear that my poem was in no way speaking of religion - just the act.

Thank you.

Bee

Submitted by scratch on

I understand that Bee.  Quite.  yes

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I agree that religion does not stone people - how could it, being an abstract concept - but it influences its followers for good or evil if its tenets are misconstrued.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Yes, Luigi, I knew what you were getting at. There seems to be quite a bit of misconstruing going on in the world. 

Bee

Submitted by scratch on

Well Bee you have obviously written a great poem on a very contentious socio-cultural subject judging by all these fascinating comments from members!  Kudos.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks again, scratch. There are organisations out there trying to end these horrific punishments - if all we can do is to seek them out and add our signature to a petition it's worth drawing attention to what we would prefer not to think about. 

Bee

Submitted by Dante Summers on

I normally can't stand poetry but I like the style here. Creates a very bleak atmosphere and sharply written

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Dante.

Glad you took the time to read. I value your comments.

Bee

Submitted by Ed Crane on

I know many people won't agree with me, but I've felt for many years now, that if there's a God, then there must be a Devil and religion was given to man by the Devil, thus damning God for the deaths carried out in his name.

It runs through all religions, sure Islamic extremists, but it happened with the witch hunts during the English civil war, pretty much encouraged by the puritanic government of Cromwell and in France with Joan d'Arc ect ect.

In short religion gives people the excuse to carry out terrible atrocities without conscience. What else would do that but an evil force? .... call it a devil, Satan, Abaddon, Iblis, Shaytan or the hundreds of other name for it.

However, I doubt the existence of a Gods, Angels or  Devils, except those in the light and dark sides of the human condition.

Brilliant poetry Deb.

Ed.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Ed. 

Interesting theory - you really have turned religion in general on it's head here. I guess there is something in it being about people using religion as an excuse to carry out atrocities, along with so much hypocracy. A lot of it isn't about religion at all - just some bloke somewhere who fancies a new wife, or a dad who feels embarrassed and decides, without fear of recrimination, to get shot of another of the world's disposable daughters. Life's cheap!

Thanks so much for your comments. Dx

Bee

Submitted by scratch on

Ed, I tried flagging your comment a 'great feedback' but it seems that I've gone over my allowance.  I think that you said what I was trying to say but you made much more sense.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Don't worry, scratch - I just flagged it for you. Have another go tomorrow and there'll be two as deserved. X

Bee

Submitted by scratch on

yes

 

Submitted by Ed Crane on

Thanks Bee and Scratch!

 

Submitted by Denzella on

This is a fantastic piece that expresses your anger at the double standards so ruthlessly applied to women.  No, not even women, just girls who have been raped and are therefore blameless.  I think all religions are divisive because all teach their followers that theirs is the only true religion but  with so many different religions all teaching the same thing then the ground is laid for future conflict.  I think there is a place for humanism which although secular seems to me to offer more hope than religion.  Moreover, if Jesus walked the earth he did so without the trappings of wealth.  But His high priests don't need to worry where their next meal is coming from.  Five loaves and two fishes wouldn't satisfy them.

You are fast becoming a very topical poet Bee. All your recent work that I have read is so very relevant.

Moya.

 

Submitted by Bee on

You make some very valid points, Moya. Thank you so very much for taking the time - I really do appreciate it. 

Bee

Submitted by lenchenelf on

...that this wasn't an editor's choice. You've handled an abhorrent practice with a dry, factual narrative, a voice relating incident as so 'ordinary'  as counterpoint to this horror, raising the mostrousity beyond any use of hyperbole.

best wishes.

Lenaxx

 

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