Paper Cut Outs
Freedom NOW for all children around the world
This poem was inspired by World Grand SlamPoetry Champion Harry Baker. It reimagines a world crafted by paper
Paper Cut Outs
In close proximity
WE are the paper cut out children
WE ran into the meadow with our prepared pint size kite project
Paper cut outs clipped to look just alike
Little purposeful paper people
Amazing how a few cuts of paper could etch a long string of little people paired with a plan of delight
They seemed to be dancing
With their arms up beyond peradventure prepared to take flight
And we gathered in a circle and peered up at billowy clouds before the night.
The sun was shining and were squinting and laughing
Perpetual giggling because…
who cares, the fun had just begun
Our bare feet kicked up little piles of dirt as we skipped through the fields
Some of us picked a bunch of colorful poppies
WE spoke the language of our people and we carried loaves of hot bread prepared by our parents
The butter was made fresh from milk cows and our pooled laughter became louder as
WE propelled our crayon faced dolls that were wearing Petunia scribbled dresses, holding hands, playing and singing
And reciting positive pastoral poetry about our freedom living in the country with a pilgrimage without plight. It was about a piece of freedom.
Peace we thought that was in our sight
Freedom were the words of flight
And as our dolls were propelled into the wind they could view the planet where all the people purposely watched the posing dolls in a circle
Waving worldly wildly bending and yielding to the wind
For no other reason than to enjoy planing like a glider, and soaring free as a bird
With happy paper doll thoughts and windswept adventures
The paper people were guided in perpetuity by a string floating along
A paper connected lifeline for the dolls
Lifting high in the sky above the trees through the town, over the hills into the perpetual city
Purposely pirouetting
Spinning and circling taking the paper dolls to new heights
They dipped to the lower elevation as the pressure of the wind made them a little pale
They waved like proper patriots prayerful for a place of posthumous politics that played fair to all people in all places without the necessity of penitence.
No pushing punching premeditating or provoking
Pleeeeasse
the sign said as the paper dolls played
We had a premonition. A paper plane we watched flew above our heads.
Its purpose was unclear but our thoughts were that it began to provoke paper fire over our failing paper dolls
The children began to run pulling the kite string down
Hand over hand the lifeline to paper puppets was the poetry of time
As the fire plumed on the ground
Words could not be poetic any more.
The paper planes became very real and were not there for a performance.
They began to punish our paper platform and crumpled our paper people into our real child hands.
As the children ran for shelter they understood that this was not about play. The adults had taken the paper cut outs way.
In the same meadow where the children played enjoying the carefree freedom and joys of childhood, they are now running for shelter and holding each other’s hands like paper dolls to escape the horrors of war. In our lifetimes we never thought this would happen. We thought that oppression was an archaic memory of the past and that the leaders of every country would respect and honor the long healthy lives of every person. What happened to the freedom and lives of innocent humanity? They have been taken away. Their hopes and dreams burned to ash. Thankfully thousands of adults and children have escaped the war ravaged areas and will survive to rebuild and renew the country for peaceful resolution
NOW
About the Creator
Zel Harrison
I travel with a nap sack on my back to gather stories and sit in the circle of humanity.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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