I was going through some files this morning, and I came across a collection of work that I had done ten years ago. What became of this little girl that I photographed in that orphanage? Is she grown? Is she happy? Is she alive? For her and the millions like her all over the planet, I dedicate the following poem:

Our Lyrical Life – 2023 Copyright Jeff Gardner

And the Germans kill the Jews

And the Jews kill the Arabs

And the Arabs kill the hostages

And that is the news.

And is it any wonder

That the monkey’s confused?

Roger Waters

When some innocents die

All we can offer them is a page in some magazine

Too many cameras and not enough food

This is what we’ve seen

Driven to tears.

Sting                                 

Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?

And what did you see, my darling young one?

A black branch with blood that kept drippin’

The executioner’s face is always well-hidden

Hunger is ugly and souls are forgotten

Black is the color and none is the number.

Bob Dilan

Send in the clowns

There ought to be clowns

Don’t bother

They’re here.

Stephen Sondheim