Friday, August 30, 2013

Trafficked



photo © 2013 Jennifer Wagner





she never knew a man
before this
hasn’t known a real one since


© 2013 Jennifer Wagner



“Between 700,000 and 4 million women and children will be trafficked this year, with the majority being forced to work in the sex trade. In America, there are an estimated 40,000 men, women and children enslaved at this very moment. If everyone who cares takes action, we can end slavery once and for all.” Don’t Sell Bodies.



“Typically known for coffeehouses and cloud cover, Seattle has also gained another title: 3rd most prostituted children in the nation. Experts estimate that there are up to 300,000 underage girls sexually trafficked nationally every year. These girls (many as young as 12 and 13 years old) are bought and sold for the pleasure of men all over the country.” Rape For Profit Film website.



Click the links above to learn more, raise awareness, help end this thing.


haiku my heart
Poets United: The Poetry Pantry

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

very powerful and poignant haiku. A rather unfortunate situation to say the least.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Hopefully she meets one soon...we all deserve our "someone"...

Unknown said...

Frightening statistics...thank you for opening my eyes to this problem so close to home.

Anonymous said...

Such an important post ~ thanks ~ We still have so much to learn ~ carol xo

Mark said...

Raw! Powerful!

Peace in Plums

Ella said...

Powerful and necessary for us to be aware of these horrible statistics!
I loved your poem! This subject haunts, as it should~

Nonnie said...

heartbreaking! so much evil... beautiful and haunting haiku

Laura said...

it is horrifying to contemplate, let alone what it must be like for those forced to live this way.

Wendy Bourke said...

For so many women and children, the world is very cruel. It is good to shine a light on this sad situation - as disturbing as it is. I agree, caring people can make a difference.

Mary said...

Short poem - strong message. And we think we are living in a civilized country. The facts quoted are horrifying.

TCPC said...

A very strong message. Congo! on being in the top 3 of the boston poetry mag challenge! smiles...

Anonymous said...

explosive.

Claudia said...

breaks my heart - it's terrible - and yes - those are no real men cause real men care

Fireblossom said...

These statistics are horrifying. The things that human beings, usually men, will do to other human beings just because they can, is truly shocking.

Anonymous said...

Strong words! Appalling statistics! Well done!

Lisa A. Williams said...

Very powerful poem Jennifer! You said so much in so few words. Shocking what still goes on in our "civilized" world.

Brian Miller said...

this is a gut wrenching poem....i think of the kids in say thailand that get sold in to the sex slave trade...i work with a group that buys them out and teaches them new trades...

Lea said...

Unfathomable to me. But your haiku and explanation make it all very clear. Clear, but still not real to me... oh for innocence where there is none...

J C said...

I will be back to explore more, and hopefully find another link I can add to my own blog to help. Kudos to you for this post.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Innocence seems to be a lost word and lost art these days...

Haiku My Heart Joysong

Brian Miller said...

just dropping back through for a sunday hiya...smiles...hope you are having a great weekend

PhotoDiction said...

Wow - this really sparked emotion. Very powerful in such few words. You really took advantage of the haiku's form to deliver. Have a great week.

Myrna R. said...

This is so sad. How can people do this. Thanks for raising awareness.

Susan said...

Horrible. Rescue and rehab might not help willingness to meet a real man, but with integrity restored, who cares?

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Good for you, posting the statistics that open our eyes. It is INCONCEIVABLE that this is going on. We should all be marching.

somepinkflowers said...

{{ Nnoooo !!
i had no idea ...

my own innocent childhood
is so precious to me
& a gift that has been mine
my entire life ...
who would i B now without my sweet childhood ??
i cannot imagine ...

thank you for bring this to my attention ...
wondering now
how my own Florida
figures into this ...

Anonymous said...

powerful and horrifying - sadly, a reality for far too many

Grace said...

Sad and horrifying reality ~

Hazel said...

It's wonderful when a few words make a strong contribution to raising awareness of a sad reality.

Sorry I'm late; came down with a cold.

kaykuala said...

It's an awful subject perpetrated generally by law abiding adults. A human tragedy! Nicely Jennifer!

Hank

LaTonya Baldwin said...

I've seen a few films on the topic. Most recently, "Holly." I can't understand how so many don't know and worse how many do but fail to at the very least express public outrage. Kudos.

Unknown said...

Excellent Haiku. Very strong and powerful for such a small piece. I love it, and thank you for sharing it.

TALON said...

The haiku tore my heart strings, the story behind it, stomped on it. Yes, it's disgusting how we treat humans and how we allow humans to be treated.

Justin Lamb said...

Powerful, simple and sad. Good job helping to bring awareness.

ZQ said...

very nice...and sad
ZQ

Anonymous said...

Wow, those statistics are staggering to read. And when it's this close to home (I'm in Canada) it hits home in a deeper way. Good that you've shared this here and brought more awareness.

janetld said...

Thank you for this important post.