Charity

Bestowed with prosperity,
Since the emergence,
In front of their shoes,
Lies heaps of gravy wealth,

They pluck each one out,
And chuck them below,
They cascade around until the end,
A masquerade with the goodwill manifested; such good pretend,

Occasions by occasion,
With each the candle is relit, and the clock resets,
The attested benevolence we seek,
Comes through within our own deeds.

By Sarah Shahzad, September 2023

International Day of Charity

International Day of Charity is observed on 5th September every year.  It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to promote and recognize the role of charity in alleviating human suffering and advancing social progress at the international level. The date of September 5th was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of Mother Teresa, a renowned humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for her charitable work in India.

The International Day of Charity aims to raise awareness about the importance of charitable activities, encourage people and organizations to engage in acts of charity, and promote solidarity and social responsibility across the globe. It serves as a reminder of the vital role that charities and philanthropic organizations play in addressing various humanitarian issues, such as poverty, hunger, education, healthcare, and disaster relief.

On this day, many individuals, charitable organizations, and communities organize and participate in events and initiatives to support charitable causes, fundraise for various charitable projects, or volunteer their time and resources to help those in need. The day serves as an opportunity for people to reflect on the positive impact of charity and inspire others to get involved in charitable activities, contributing to the betterment of society and the world.

About Poem “Charity”

“AI View on the poem”

The poem you’ve provided seems to explore the theme of prosperity, generosity, and the idea that true benevolence comes from one’s own actions and not just symbolic gestures. Let’s break down the analysis of the poem stanza by stanza:

• “Bestowed with prosperity, / Since the emergence, / In front of their shoes, / Lies heaps of gravy wealth,” In these opening lines, the poem suggests that the individuals described have been blessed with wealth and prosperity from the very beginning. The imagery of “gravy wealth” implies that this wealth is abundant and perhaps even luxurious.
• “They pluck each one out, / And chuck them below, / They cascade around until the end, / A masquerade with the goodwill manifested; such good pretend,” Here, it appears that these prosperous individuals are plucking some form of resources or wealth and scattering them around. This action is described as a “masquerade,” suggesting that their generosity might be superficial or insincere. The phrase “such good pretend” implies that they may be acting benevolent, but it’s not genuine.
• “Occasions by occasion, / With each the candle is relit, and the clock resets, / The attested benevolence we seek, / Comes through within our deeds.” These lines emphasize the repetitive nature of the actions described earlier. “Occasions by occasion” suggests that this act of scattering wealth happens repeatedly. The imagery of relighting a candle and resetting a clock suggests that they keep repeating the same show of generosity, perhaps for appearances or societal expectations. However, the poem concludes with the idea that true benevolence is not in these symbolic acts but in one’s actual deeds and actions.

Overall, the poem appears to critique the idea of performative generosity or philanthropy, where individuals with wealth may engage in superficial acts of giving without genuinely making a positive impact. The poem suggests that true benevolence should be reflected in one’s actions and deeds rather than in symbolic gestures. It encourages a more authentic and substantial form of generosity.