Christ the Redeemer overlooks
the city ‘The River of January‘
he embraces them all.
The blessed, the exquisite, the rich.
Buildings sparkle in the sun,
beaches flamboyant with beautiful bodies
glistening with health, dripping wealth
Yes, Christ the redeemer embraces them all
The well kept gardens and parks
vibrant with colour and fragrance
where lovers meet.
And a drug deal goes down.
Yes, Christ the Redeemer embraces them all.
The favelas perched precariously
on the hillsides, ghettos for the poor,
dispossessed, crime ridden rat holes
where pivetes thrive against the odds
by theft, murder, prostitution; knowing nothing better.
Yes, Christ the Redeemer embraces them all.
Only at Carnaval can there be equality of a kind;
the rhythm of the Samba, the gaudy floats,
the flash of the fireworks, the gaity.
People pour out of the favelas, some to watch
some to take part, some to thieve, some to kill.
Yes, Christ the Redeemer embraces them all.
Comments
littleditty | January 21, 2009 - 13:37
Hi Val - happy new year! You have captured contrasting aspects of Rio - enjoyed, thoughtful, Brasil and religion/s is always interesting, and the last line of each stanza certainly makes one think about Christianity, 'overlooks' - an interesting word to start with, and the repeating last line asserts and positively reasserts the open arm image of Jesus, which is so strongly felt there, on the mountain top or seen from most plces below -especially powerful i think as it is city of such stark contrasts - you remind me to go and have a look at some writes of mine from Parati, Rio (have you seen the movie City of God? There are some clips on youtube :o) ldxx
Bradene | January 22, 2009 - 11:22
Thanks for your response LD, glad you enjoyed it. I haven't seen that film but I will have a look at You tube. Thanks for the tip. Love Val x A happy 2009 to you too. xx
tcook | January 22, 2009 - 16:25
Since Lula took power things have been improving hand over fist in Rio - and the rest of Brazil. The massive discrepancy between rich and poor has been considerably reduced and the favelas are slowly coming down. Hurrah for socialism!
Nathan Bednarek | January 23, 2009 - 14:31
'Yes, Christ the Redeemer embraces them all.'
I love the repetition of this line and the whole poem is really powerful. Well done.
Nathan.