Get Your Premium Membership

Sweatshop Sumei Dead

She was only three years old When she was sold, forced to Enter a world of slavery, Amongst other children laboring, To glue on buttons or “flair,” to Sew pockets on shirts she’ll never wear, or Hats she’ll never own, a clothing drone - for them, Orders of greedy Americans, who Pay pennies for her hands. Sumei liked to feel the cloth move Under her fingers, the smooth Material against her face, to Envision a world of beauty in lace, Instead of her dirty working space. Dreams of another life, of somehow Escaping slowly trickled away, cowed by Angry men, for quotas she couldn’t meet. So beat Dead, age thirteen. 1/20/12 Received 1st place in "Something Worth Fighting For" contest

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 11/28/2014 4:05:00 PM
Hey Susan! Nice job on your haibun in haiky today & so glad you liked Susan seddon Belot! Happy holidays! Light & Love
Login to Reply
Date: 3/22/2014 2:57:00 PM
soupmail.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 7:58:00 PM
Congratulations on a well deserved win, speaking to a real problem in the world. We need to plant these seeds of change, lest children like Sumei are forgotten. May we never forget.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 6:52:00 PM
very powerful and tragic. a well-deserved win!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 5:05:00 PM
I'm SO glad this won, Susan. A much deserved win for a cause that deserves a lot of attention. Congratulations.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 4:10:00 PM
All over the world this happens. Good job bringing it to light. Congrad's Light & Love
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 1:58:00 PM
Heartbreaking, because of the truth behind the poem. A worthy win is this, Susan....this is an honorable poem. Congratulations!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 12:22:00 PM
Congratulations on your super win in Frank H's contest Susan. Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 10:20:00 AM
congrats.susan on the top placement.......~sashi
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 10:00:00 AM
Congratulations Susan a fabulous win xx
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 9:42:00 AM
congrats Susan on a fabulous first place win with this beautiful write luv.. exquisite thoughts..
Login to Reply
Date: 3/15/2012 8:51:00 AM
Heart tearing and true. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront. Nothing will ever get done without these constant reminders. Congratulations on your win but mostly for your poem, Susan
Login to Reply
Date: 2/4/2012 3:51:00 PM
I'd love to read this poem again as soon as you have given it your all just as little Sumei has done. This could be such a striking poem once you've polished it a bit more with that Susan Burch style and talent... After all the empathy that you harbour for these children sold into slavery is worth it. I have read some of your other works and I like the aura I get from your writing. What say you? At three years old She was sold And forced, into a world of slavery.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/28/2012 12:35:00 PM
a sensitive subject and tremendous write3 Susan.. bringing awareness to light luv.. thankxx so much for my win and honoring Tainted Jars in your contest.. appreciate the luv..
Login to Reply
Date: 1/26/2012 7:41:00 PM
how deeply moving, sue... so much injustice going on around this world and all seem to just care of things material.. wonderful food for the soul.. devastatingly beautiful!.:) huggs
Login to Reply
Date: 1/25/2012 1:24:00 PM
I concur with Debbie, know one whats to hear about what is going on, it hits to close to home. many blessing and know that I will always read your wonderful work. thank you for your sad topic.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/25/2012 11:04:00 AM
Such an important topic here and most don't care , don't want to know, don't care to see. I wrote on the children in the mines of Africa no one seemed much interested. [sunshine & lollipops & God seem to be the only things which get much read?] [Sue a couplet or two in a labeled meter is fine NO worries!] Light & Love
Login to Reply
Date: 1/22/2012 12:28:00 PM
Dear Susan, I hear these atrocities continue in some countries. What a sad story told in verse. My heart goes out to this young girl. I'm sorry I haven't been able to comment much. I have an illness and it is making it more difficult for me to type and concentrate. I'll try my best to stay active here. Awesome poem! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 1/22/2012 10:56:00 AM
Thanks for your comments today .Susan. I probably can't do much today,but I am trying while I can.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/22/2012 8:14:00 AM
This is a powerful message, Susan. A protest in poem.
Login to Reply
Date: 1/21/2012 9:59:00 PM
wow, very powerful, Susan. and for someone who says she does not enjoy free verse so much, YOU should be writing more free verse, sweetie. I mean, you got a few rhymes in , but to me this feels like free verse. Yours is the only one I am commenting to. I just came down to sneak a peek at comments. Gotta get back upstairs. Later. Andrea
Login to Reply
Date: 1/21/2012 7:40:00 PM
What a story you told here, so sad, so very sad it really is. The thing is they go on like this in other countries, and things like this happen...I could kill whoever does this to innocent children! I am so repulsed by people like that! You portrayed the girl's situation very well and said what she would actually be thinking to pass the time, to make it every day! I believe they really do that, especially when they are so young. Oh, that makes me so make! I hate that this actually happens! Ughh!
Login to Reply
Date: 1/21/2012 6:58:00 PM
Is this a true story Susan? If so, this is horrendous! You did a wonderful job portraying her tragic story. Love, Kim
Login to Reply

Book: Reflection on the Important Things