Not Their Kin
Poem. Social Commentary.
Humpty dumpty sat on the wall
Humpty dumpty had a great fall
All the King's horses and all the King's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
Because they were horses, and men — not surgeons
But even the King’s doctors, even his nurses,
Couldn’t repair him — despite all their curses.
By all the good folk helping those in need
By all the kind folk planting reformative seed
Because Humpty was not their kin, looked different,
They left him in pieces — unwanted, an immigrant.
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Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: So we're clear, I know immigration is a bigger and more complicated issue than just saying "everyone should be allowed here" but I still think the government could be clearer with their guidelines and rules for access to NHS treatment and things like state benefits.
Also, wanted to spin and twist the classic nursery rhyme.
It was funny, as I realised after writing this, what sparked it was I had been listening to Danny Nedelko by Bristol legends Idles. Which is a pro-immigration song dedicated to Danny Nedelko, the singer of Heavy Lungs, another Bristol band. Danny Nedelko is a Ukrainian immigrant.
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About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
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Comments (17)
Ah yes, poor humpty, so long suffering. Nursery rhymes for the times, I am just getting that now. So apt for our troubled times indeed.
Thank you for commenting and linking to this poem! Fire, my friend. And I am again comforted that we have a similar mental acuity at times!
This is FIRE Paul!! A brilliant social commentary highlighting the care gap for immigrants. I also enjoy how you turned the name 'Humpty Dumpty' into almost a mean name; with its childish ring, it works very well.
Love how you take a familiar nursery rhyme and give it such a sharp social edge. That twist from "not surgeons" to the darker reality of who gets helped is really effective. The rhythm works well too, keeping that nursery rhyme feel while delivering a punch. Nice commentary wrapped in something deceptively simple.
This is a clever, poignant twist. Using a children’s rhyme to highlight the struggles of immigrants makes the message hit even harder.
It's true, some are different then others, but horses are different than us and we care for them all the same.
Because they were horses... That line made me laugh. How many times have I listened to or sang that rhyme and never once did I think "of course horses can't put Humpty together again." But onto more serious matters. This was a fun way to shine a light on a concerning matter. I like that it wasn't preachy, just eye opening. It coincides well with what I've always felt the biggest problem with immigration is. We get these people who don't speak our language and don't know our customs and then there's some terrible human who uses their ignorance as a weapon against them. They are told if they don't do what he says or pay what he demands they'll be sent back. They are afraid to go to the police or hospitals when they need help. And then the rest of us sneer and say they don't belong here anyway. I don't have an answer to the problem, but I hope I'm that stubborn horse that just holds Humpty together until the real surgeon arrives.
Oh the sad reality. I love the juxtaposition of the ridiculous nursery rhyme against the ridiculous state of affairs we are witnessing.
I really like it! Painted the story in a more complete light; almost like lore for who Humpty might have been. Yet, very very sad; that ending. Extremely well-wrought.
This is one cool poem for a Humpty Dumpty poem. Good work.
Thank you for this insightful, and creative way of addressing such an issue. You have important things to say, keep ip the good work
So striking! And significant in these times.
Well done, great twist on an old rhyme and a perennial problem.
You can't make a provocative omelet without breaking a few eggs, my liege!
Being Neurodivergent, I love this
Social commentary in this day and age?!? Wild. Great work sir. Love a good twist on a classic
I have no idea how immigration works across the pond, but I know it’s just a mess here in the US (and clearly biased against certain people), so this poem feels very universal in its commentary. Well done, especially with the twist on Humpty Dumpty.