We can see paradise
We can see poverty.
They live in the same place
paradise and poverty.
They are neighbours.
They are related.
They cannot exist
without each other.
We can feel happiness.
We can feel sadness.
They live in the same body
happy and sad.
They are connected.
They are family.
One would not exist
without the other.
We can touch black.
We can touch white.
They live in the same skin
black and white.
They are not neighbours.
They are not family.
You cannot separate
that which is the same.
We can feel straight.
We can feel gay.
They live on the same street
straight and gay.
They are brother.
They are sister.
They cannot have hope
without the others help.
We can hold love.
We can hold hate.
They shelter in the same heart
love and hate.
They feed on our feelings.
They fester on our fears.
We can hate to love
but should never love to hate.
We can hear music.
We can hear silence.
They live in the same instrument
music and silence.
They create harmony.
They share equality.
You cannot hear the music
without respecting the silence.
All Words and Photographs by Damien B. Donnelly
Audio Version available on Soundcloud:
Damien B. Donnelly 
This does indeed make my heart sing, excellent! The recording adds much to the depth already laid here. Bravo!!
Thank you very much Elizabeth for your comments. You made me smile after a day at work- what could be better, Dami X
This makes smile as well. Keep on with your amazing work!
That is one of the stark realities of Paradise. Poverty is Paradise’s neighbor. Most people don’t go outside of their little corner of vacation to the other, very real side of Paradise Island. Great piece. Needed to be said.
Hello and lovely to hear from you as always. It’s shocking what we see and don’t see on our doorstep, the things we choose to accept and the things we try to ignore. Best wishes from your Paris
It is shocking. What I pay to the resort isn’t going to the people who live outside of it. That’s why Frank and I always rent a car…
Bisous Bisous