Photo Source: Copyright Nightlake
Ramon uses his worn field rag to wipe sweat from his wife’s forehead. She uncomfortably rests on an old wooden chair. Hot and humid in their rusty metal shack, only a straggly stray black dog finds relief lying prostrate across the dirt floor. Over the small fireplace, Ramon’s mother heats a small pot she manages to barely fill with dirty water from the old rain barrel sitting outside the entryway. She watches a half deflated soccer ball send huge dust clouds into the humid April midday air as the village children noisily run and kick it away from each other. The fine dust floats down and into the cover less rain barrel.
Ramon’s wife rises from the rickety chair, paces back and forth over the dirt floor. She stoops down to pull up a tuft of stray roots sprouting up from the floor. Suddenly she feels a gripping pain. “Ramon,” whispers his young wife, “It is time. Go get Akhushtal.”
Traveling by foot over the mountainous terrain, Ramon returns two hours before evening. “Hola, Eme?” inquires Akhushtal, she finds Eme breathing erratically and her mother-in-law by her side. Without hesitation, Akhushtal cries out, “Please, the hot water, madre and light a candle. The baby’s head is showing. Push, Eme, push!”
Poverty triumphs
Strangles mother and newborn
Fireflies light man’s grief
* * *
Inspiration for this story comes from the weekly, Ligo Haibun Challenge. This week was a photo challenge.
In general, this fictional story is loosely based on rural Guatemala: Huehuetenango Department where in these mountainous areas, the people experience severe lack of clean water, very poor sanitation systems and malnutrition.
If you liked this post, why not visit Ligo Haibun Challenge and join in the fun. Thank you so much!
© 2013 simply charming
So sad! Beautifully written and great entry but oh, the devastation of losing mother and child. Heartbreaking.
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thank you, Susan…indeed heartbreaking that some women still have limited or no access to modern medicine/facilities.
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Hit me right where my worst nightmares hide, Sunshine. The word strangles killed me. You moved me to compassion. For that I am thankful, my friend. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
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Kozo, you’re welcome and may we be enlightened and moved to take action in some way to end the injustice of poverty around the world. ☼sunHUGS!
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This is simply excellent. Not much else to add to that, very moving and powerful! Exceedingly well written haibun!
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as i read on rural Guatemala, it really saddened me to think most of the babies born in these poor areas rarely live to be a month old. most die within 24 hours.
thank you, Penny for your encouraging words…i hope we can all find a way to help poverty-stricken pregnant women get better medical assistance. ♥
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Your words are moving but more than that, sometimes words move in a different way, they create action and make things happen for the better. We will find a way! we will, keep writing! xx
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yes! thank you again Penny! ☼sunHUGS!!
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(hugs) 🙂
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Wonderful. well written
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thank you so much, Nightlake. ♥
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Your very descriptive words bring this story to life. Beautiful haiku illuminating a sad situation. It really makes me think about how to make a difference.
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i am grateful for your thoughtful words, Eric. i believe awareness can begin a chain of events to help those that struggle daily just to survive.
thank you. ♥
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Wonderfully described, and good use of he theme. Fits so well, and sensitive. The haiku finishes it succinctly, and the birth is a metaphor for so much.
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thank you, PirateG! ♥
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So much to dwell upon in such a small space. This work stays with you after reading, thank you!
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i was hoping maybe in some way these poor folks can somehow get more help with their living conditions…who knows. maybe with a little awareness…thank you so much for your time & sharing your kind thoughts, Kingsley.
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this is heart-wrenching! but so exquisitely done. wonderful job 🙂
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you are very kind, Kz…thank you! ♥
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The haiku…wow, you’re getting better and better, Sunshine. This was a sad story, but very good written 🙂
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love you, Angelswhispers and Little Binky! thank you for reading and sending love energies this way. ♥
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Sad, yet gripping story that’s all too real. Exceedingly well written and the visual impact floored me! Keep up the great work Sunshine. ♥
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it is hard to believe, Maddy, that in all of our advances, what some of us take for granted, like modern medical facilities and basic survival needs, are not readily available to many people in this world. that is why your work at 1Earth and others, like Kozo etc. is so important to get the awareness out. at least the ripple of change gets activated…thanks for the applause. i truly appreciate it. ☼♥
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Well written Sun. Made me think of Elvis’ song : In the Ghetto. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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thank you for sharing, Sonel. yes, living in a Ghetto would be another version to this story. ☼sunHUGS!
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this was so well done, sunshine, as in many poverty-stricken countries, approximately 1 in 3 women die from childbirth-related/pregnancy complications (not to mention all the other conditions associated with your description). Much love to you for keeping this in the forefront of other’s minds. -j
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thank you, HT…it was an eye opener for me as i read about these poverty-stricken places…one tends to forget not all are living with basic needs being met. thank you for your encouraging words. ♥
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Beautiful writing that you can see quite easily.
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Thank you for your time reading and sharing, Purplepen. ♥
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Life is a miracle and no matter how poor we are, it will live on because there is a higher power that governs everything around us. Wonderful post!
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Your words, Island T. speaks truth clearly. This higher power sustains life in ways we cannot understand at this time…our task is to live each day as best as possible even in poorly understood circumstances. thanks!
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Poignant and powerful, terrific writing!
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thank you, anelephantcant. ♥
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