Poem in response to Reduced Inequalities
October 2018

Unequal Voices

By Georgia Bernbaum
for #5. georgia (graphic credit christin
Graphics Credit: Christina Zhao

I remember when I was younger and eavesdropped on my parents’ conversations

They talked society and politics

I remember when I was younger and saw them struggle

With money and decisions

I remember when I was younger and tried to help

But I was too young to understand

I remember when I was younger and wanted to make decisions

But I was too young and inexperienced

I remember when I was younger and tried to speak

But I was too young and they didn’t hear me

My opinions mattered, why didn't they hear me?

 

I remember when I was a developing country, eavesdropping on the developed countries conversations

They talked society and politics

I remember when I was a developing country and saw them struggle

With money and decisions

I remember when I was a developing country and tried to help

But I was too underdeveloped to understand

I remember when I was a developing country and wanted to make decisions

But I was too underdeveloped and inexperienced  

I remember when I was a developing country and tried to speak

But I was too underdeveloped and they didn’t hear me?

My opinions mattered, why don’t they hear me?