50 Words

Pushed to the Edge — Where Do You Go?

Thrifty Words Theme Challenge #13: Survival

The inflatable drifts. Her engine died during the night and Ahmed’s mother holds the boy tight as the light of day beckons.

He shivers in the silence; she prays the day will bring a miracle. Someone, perhaps a fisherman, will come rescue them.

Will her dreams of Europe come true?

Why do we ignore the plight of our fellow human beings?

One tiny planet, yet there are 79.5-million displaced people trying to survive.

I focused on the migration from North Africa to Europe because compassion fatigue has taken root there.

(I watched a video clip on Banksy’s new rescue boat, and the comments horrified me. Most showed a total lack of compassion.)

Since 2014, over 18,000 men, women, and children have drowned or disappeared making the crossing. The risk of death or detention doesn’t deter individuals from seeking a better life by fleeing conflict, terror, persecution, and poverty.

Their departure from African shores is the last port of call preceded by a journey from as far as Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Others from Africa face torture, rape, physical abuse — even death — on the routes from Sudan, Mali, and other countries on the continent. Or they may end up in one of Libya’s notorious detention centers.

I admire their grit and determination — despite what may lie ahead.

In that spirit, I dedicate this song to those who never give up.

Nichole Nordeman — Sound of Surviving

Thank you for being here.

Here is this week’s prompt from Jonica Bradley.