19 paper cranes

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 08 Sep 2022
  • 902 reads
11 comments
 

19 paper cranes (origami)
remembering 19 deaths by a
deceived and distorted mind
determined the disabled must find
unhappiness and prefer to die,
no use, a burden to gloomy carers.

Simple film of happy care home,
cheerful lady’s day,
making paper,
teasing her friends.

Vile letter of perpetrator’s thoughts
cut up, recycled –
19 paper cranes.

What of those who assume
babies with (possible) problems
don’t want to be born?
Is anyone’s life problem-free?
How many geniuses, inventors,
peacemakers, cheerful and delightful
people have been lost?

https://www.larchetahomahope.org/sachikos-story-nineteen-paper-cranes/

 

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous
Crime
Love

Comments

Submitted by Tom Brown on

As a child I did origami it is a great art folding little square papers it's amazing what you can do. Yes the first thing you learn is a crane (or a swan?) but  actually I guess first a paper ship or party hat. It gets harder as you progress.

Your views (on abortion, or contraception in general?) the practical and moral questions are incredibly hard you can debate forever. All that I can say is I probably wouldn't be around and I don't mind it so much. It's Ok here.

Keep well Rhianon! Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Hi, Tom. I do have strong views on the abortion question as to the rights of a baby, and also the pressure put upon women who can suffer a lot from abortion. But here I only highlight the fact that in this country any baby which seems to have a disability can be aborted up to birth, and the possible disabitility can be just something like a cleft palate. I think that issue does link up with the horror and astonishment the above mass-murder provoked, and the views expressed by the murderer about disability. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

I didn't know that. That is bad, what are the criteria for a baby having a disability? Surely most of the time you can't tell? You might as well just execute. This is unbelievable. If things are going that way and with the human genome it is inhuman it is monstrous.

All the best Rhiannon

Tom

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The diagnoses are made from blood tests, or ultrasound scans or taking some of the fluid around the baby, but as I said, some of these conditions are fairly easily treatable, and sometimes the tests are proved wrong and a healthy baby emerges despite prognosis.Termnations of 'healthy' babies cannot occur after 24 weeks, but can for disability, which is a kind of discrimination, and assumptions about quality of life. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

I forgot about a jet, A jet that flies is easy any boy should know.

Ok. Cheers

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I hadn't heard of that atrocity Rhiannon - so thank you for sharing it, and it was good to see an organisation where people with disabilities are cared for so well

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, and yes, sounds and looks a happy place, and all can contribute proabably. Rhianno

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

This is so well said.  You certainly put a lot of meaning into those few word.

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jean. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

I enjoyed reading your poem, Rhiannon.

The first thought that popped into my head was the song, originally from Germany '99 red balloons' . It is a song I first heard in 1984 that is about joy, peace and freedom.

To me your poem about the 19 paper cranes seems to be about your sorrow and anger concerning an incident that was the complete opposite of this.

Regarding abortion, I do not feel that there are any easy answers. In France the campaign for free, legal and safe abortion to be available for all women  is called Choisir. It means to choose.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for reading and commenting, Rachel. I was touched by that horrible letter being cut up and being made (by disabled people) into paper for the paper cranes, quite a symbol in Japan I think.

This wasn't about the abortion issue generally, but about the (discriminatory) attitude to pre-birth babies that appear to be a bit (sometimes easiiy correctable) disabled. Such children often bring much joy, and draw people together. The general issue does all seem to be about women having a choice, but not the potential child. It grieves many to realise that they might easily have not been allowed to be born. Rhiannon