Times of Elemental Signs
©copyright 2009 Bonita M Quesinberry
It's the roar of angry winds
Snatching up ev'ry tree by trunk and limbs
Drive rains to pummel and flood
To crush homes and cars or pets and one's kin
Leaving only mud and blood
Volcanic detonations
Cloud skies with thick concrete imitations
Fill lungs to hardened masses
While lava flows and burns vegetation
Leaving just death and ashes
It's the silent storm of snow
An icy white-out that livid winds blow
Crushing all— buildings and homes
Fuel and food blocked by slippery roads
Leaving behind empty moans
It's earth reeling to and fro
An earthquake sucking up all that can grow
Crushing machines and mankind
Making tsunamis masked as tide set low
Leaving behind broken minds
These are elemental signs
God's weapons of wrath against pagan kind
For changing His Times and Laws
For unbelief shown in both flesh and mind
More signs come for loving flaws
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read about "Bind Up the Testimony, Seal the Law" at
http://allpoetry.com/bonnieq & click on "Bind Up..." title in My Lists
Author notes
The end IS proving difficult! Thus, my take on the prompt is about prophecy's end times, covering only the part concerning the involved elements. There are other signs.
In a list
A contest entry
- The End by Everwind Rising.
550 points, ended February 8, 2009, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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Interesting take on the prompt. I wondered when I posted this contest if anyone would take an apocolyptic interpretation of the prompt.
Your imagery is bleak, violent, and terrifying--appropriate considering the biblical end-time theme.
I agree that the end is soon upon us but escatalogical persuasions aside, I think you did a good job of incorporating biblical and modern imagery in this piece to make your point. On the one had you speak of floods, blood, and wind. On the other hand you mention the modern things like concrete, fuel, and machines. All these images fit nicely together in the way which you laid out in your poem.
I found the rhyme scheme a little strange--not the scheme itself-- but it's use in such a bleak and horrifying piece. As I read it the rhyme took away from the horror of the imagery and thoughts contained in this poem. Maybe it's just me. I know that sometimes setting dark imagery to rhyme increased the horror of it. But that wasn't the effect it had on me here. Still, it's just a personal preference.
I felt that the final line of the poem should have been stronger. This poem is filled with intense cataclysmic imagery and apocolyptic destruction. Then it ends with "More signs come for loving flaws". That line is pretty weak in comparison to the powerful imagery used up to that point. It just kind of fizzles at the end. I was expecting something incredibly devestating or awe-inspiring at the end of this poem. It almost reads like you were having trouble writing a line that rhymed and this was the best you could come up with. I think you can do better. I would love you to write a last line that leaves me horror-stricken, dumbfounded, or crushed with guilt and despair or even uplifted by the posiblility of redemption.
Show me the clouds splitting asunder and armies of heaven issuing forth to reclaim the earth from wicked men. I think that only an ending with this level of intensity would fit. This is becuase you started out so intense with your imagery.
I applaud your courage to write on this subject--a subject dear to my heart. Keep it up. -
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Thank you, hon, for the encouraging words AND the suggestions regarding the last line. I do agree that it is mild in comparison. My motive, however -- and, perhaps you might have an idea or two-- was to reveal that there are other signs not having anything to do with the elements: i.e. Desert Storm never ended, just changed names, financial collapse, world hunger, homelessness, polluted waters, and so forth. Not much can be squeezed in to a Meter 7 line.
Prophecy is dear to my heart, too; for it is one of the spiritual gifts the Holy Ghost placed upon me, that and the interpretation thereof along with teaching same as well as teaching the "weightier matters of the Law." An unworthy Eve . . .
Luv & hugs, BonnieQ
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Powerful and beautifully written poetry here!
Best wishes in the contest!
Lynda
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It is Rising up all around...a wake up call, all your writes deserve high honors...Blessings.
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Thank you, SisD, for the kind encouragement and realizing the times are here, as you say, "rising up all around." The elements are doing so much more that we ever see on the news, but that's because Uncle Sam censored all reporting of catastrophic events, whether war or elements, in 1999: they can do only minimal reporting. I also would learn from friends in other countries that such censorship is global.
Fortunately, I had done all my research prior to this move. Why censor? The statement was, "We do not want the people to panic." And, well they would have if they had the data I had gleaned, an incredible amount never reported. I feel that reporting might have sent people seeking the Lord; but, God knows exactly what He is doing in these end days.
Much love & hugs, SisBon
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Chillingly True!
Powerful write about the times to come that will surely open the eyes of many & sadly some would rather curse than change! Fantastic flow, content, word choice & rhyme! This is quite visual & detailed. Come Savior, come....
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These times already are here, luv: it all began in 1991 and, just in elements alone, their devastating effects have increased exponentially every year since then. Don't expect to hear about on the news. Our esteemed government, not just ours but all over the world, censored the reporting of catestrophic events, which is to include natural and war, back in 1999.
Fortunately, I already had spent 8 years researching all the records of the various natural disasters around the globe up to that point. Even prior 1999 we had not been hearing even a fraction of what was happening anywhere. The rest of my research included the first 6 vials, which have been poured out in full and those effects have continued to worsen exponentially.
One might ask why the world powers would censor the reporting of these: their statements at the time were unanimous, "We do not want the people to panic." Which they likely would, but I also feel a number of them just might decide it's time to get right with God.
Thank you for the encouraging review! Luv ya, SisBon
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So....
You believe we're already in The Great Tribulation? I believe we are experiencing 'birth pangs'. From what I understand things are going to get much worse before His coming. I just woke up & need some Java! I can't talk about this now. Eschatology is a massive subject & much needs to be considered & if one piece of the picture is missing much can be misconstrued! I'd love to believe that the world powers would see it's time to get right with Father, but that's not what the Scripture reveals they'll do! Thanks for the passion you show in your understanding. May He have mercy on us all! BTW...what do you see as the pivotal occurrence in 1991? -
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The pivotal point: Desert Storm. When the president said that war was over, everyone asked me what I thought and I said: "Mark my word, it will never be over 'til the day Christ takes us up." And, it has never ended and it never will.
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