The brutal sense of loss fed tolerance,
acceptance marked weakening of walls
seeped through by doubt and infamy;
[towers burned, towers fell]
promised truths became sounds
that faded like fog over seas, and
clear sky at dawn changed, the day
morning arrived late,
and heat of hearts on fire came and never faded.
It was a want that could not be satisfied,
so deep and abiding was the needful pang;
a country, like a womb of life, cradle of my days,
hands that molded the clay of my soul...my country.
So many eyes filled with burning cinders
my hands empty and useless; the air filled with smoke
and words of weakness...
feigned strength is worse than flight in fear,
it binds the arms of the strong woman
it holds her children in dread, chased by
phantoms of night...
[so many years of wandering waste.]
My country waited in darkness
for a glow, the boldness of self-belief
the strength of indignation; and a voice
commanding mountains of indifference
to melt away...for change comes in a breath
and a blinking into an inner vision, for truth never fades
and we need only open our hearts and close eyes
to be strong and steadfast. To truly see
the brilliance of the greater day,
when faith shines like the Sun.
Author notes
Prompt:
Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo."
- H. G. Wells (1866-1946)
A contest entry
- NO GREENS! - A Rounds Contest by Pamela A Lamppa.
1700 points, ended January 20, 23 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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I cannot seem to read through this remarkable offering without a welling of tears, whether for hurt, pride or hope.
If I can rest some good out of that day it would be the hope that people see how their fears were misused; and, perhaps too, that we never forget how blue the sky was without jet trails. There are many lessons to be learned.
"It was a want that could not be satisfied,
so deep and abiding was the needful pang;"
This line is etched in me!
Terror alerts and CNN propaganda kept us at bay, like yelling at a depressed person, while people died for the excuse.
I don't care about birth right, the Financial institutes or whether or not he smokes in the white house; so long as he IS the change we need!
fantastic penning!
Ken
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I despaired of ever seeing this day arrive. People continued to vote against their own self-interest and greed and calumny ruled the land. The color barrier has finally been crossed, but more than that, we have a man of intelligence, patience, respect and compassion who wants to lead us out of the abyss... "So many years of wandering waste." You have captured all the feelings of dejection and redemption that have swirled in this last year. He has his work cut out for him, but we are hopeful. Good luck in this contest. Peace, Liz
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WOW
To begin, I must state that the quality and genuineness of your verse left me with tears, remembering a day one can never forget. Read steadily, the softness of this piece is where its power lies.
The utter disbelief in the days events is conveyed so well.
You have captured the prompt in ways H.G. Wells never imagined.
Wonderful workmanship in this beauty and a pleasure to read and hold dear. I will not soon forget this verse, and will remember its voice in my heart.
Exceptional entry. Thank you and best of luck in our contest. ~Pamela
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Strong faith lends such a strength to character. Your words are the solution, and when fully realized, they shine like the sun.
"promised truths became sounds
that faded like fog over seas, and
clear sky at dawn changed, the day
morning arrived late,
and heat of hearts on fire came and never faded"
It's hard to regain faith once it's lost.
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You show the sentiments very well here. I, even not being from the same country as you, can very well relate to the thoughts showed here. To open the hearts and close the eyes to truly see the brilliance...this is very true.
Deep feelings of love to a country, you always show when you write about yours
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