Scenes of Kolkata - Hope Amid The Havoc

In 2002 my wife and I were blessed to travel through Kolkata while on a Mission Trip.

After seeing the poverty, smelling the horrible stench, and feeling claustrophobic with the overcrowding, I became angry and bitter towards God.

But rather than God changing Kolkata, He changed my heart instead...

Scenes of Kolkata - Hope Amid The Havoc

fumes

they cling to the back of my throat

with no wind to blow them away

they wrap me like a thick winter coat

so, shallow I breathe

beep

the taxis clog all the streets

there seems to be no way to cross

and the buses have no empty seats

so, fast I run

staring

seems all that the locals achieve

a celebrity is in town

and that celebrity is me

so, embarrased I get

money

asks the girl who’s aged about five

but I have to get somewhere

I have trouble keeping myself alive

so, hard goes my heart

how,

God, could anyone live in this place?

with the disease, the heat and the homeless

with too many people, and not enough space?

so, answers I wait

'child',

He replies, 'can’t you see?

they may live a journey away

but they still belong to Me'

so, ashamed I feel

Kolkata,

Christ felt your pain as you cried

but there is hope amid the havoc

because for your cause He died

so, for you I rejoice

© craig godfrey

12/03/2002