Caught in the crossfire

I wrote this after watching a heart rending TV programme about the children of Afghanistan, but it also relates to any war torn country where the innocent become victims.

There are dreams gathering dust on the silk road,

as lost as the ancient land that beget them;

they ghost down its length, ebbing away their

life across the roof of the world and the 

star hung nights of a ceaseless war that 

serves only the unyielding passion of its people. 

And yet, where life and death is now

measured by the emptiness of a child's belly,

there still exists a quiet oasis, where the scent 

of saffron and sandalwood lingers in the air; 

seeping down through the fabric of time as the

yellow moon spins its tenuous threads of re-birth.

There are dreams gathering dust on the silk road;

still this side of paradise, but for now, almost forgotten 

as they wait patiently for the sun to lose its heat.

They are the fragile buds that will one day flower anew,

causing all other empires to crumble and great kings to

finally yield before the innocence of the children of God.

Reviews

[jonah]

wow what an amazing work this is! really got me. The words...they're so rich and able to strike the reader's heart. It sends out a signal of the painful reality of wars and conflicts. But it doesn't stop there. Something's also emerging from the depth this poem, maybe it's hope, a glory for the future generation. Impressive work.

[Taylor]

An exquisite, poignant poem. This is a diamond. So sad, so true. Thank you for witnessing to the plight of those dear children so tragically caught within the evil deeds of man.

[Ed Hart]

a large poem, embracing humanity in its history, its blood, and its promise...across time it is the children who survive who pass on the cold baton of acquired characteristics

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope God is watching. A scary world for many places. Bad part, places like the USA isn't doing too well also. Half the people on welfare. The world need to stop fighting and create hope, safe places and food for all children. Thank you for sharing the thoughts provoking poetry.
Coyote

[W.k.kortas]

The use of "ghost" as a verb is an interesting choice, though I feel it works quite well. What struck me about this poem is, even though the subhect matter is very here-and-now, was the classic, indeed almost timeless feel of the writing. The pacing (which is admirably smooth, almost effortless) and structure read, to me anyway, more akin to something from the late 19th or early 20th Century, and there is a conspicuous lack of specific contemporary references--indeed, the final three lines are something that would not look out of place in a piece by the Romantic writers. None of this should be construed as criticism--this is a lovely, almost lyrical piece. I simply found it profoundly interesting that a thoroughly modern problem would be studied in such a classical fashion.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

war can only bring pain and suffering...and those last well after the war's end...and especially affected are the children.

you give us a very emotional write here...and your wording is so true, and sad.

[Chris]

Life as we live it... seldom as we want it. Hard lessons to follow, harder still to accept. Where is OUR innocence when OUR cupboards are bare and WE have to use candles and the last one burned out and away and we can see our breath cloud the cold and your head aches cause the swollen stomach is eating YOU bit-by-bit and you KNOW what tomorrow means because today was yesterday's tomorrow. Hope is a four-letter word that many can't always keep inside...

[Frieda P]

You had me with that stellar first line, an affecting and compassionate piece, tears of the heartstrings...

[Sami Khalil]

A tragic reality where children dreams are stolen and are gathering dust. Excellent renderings...Bravo...............

[Tom]

Yes indeed, when those in the thrones of authority become blinded by power and obsessive greed all too often and with dire consequences, it's the innocent who bear the brunt of their fanatical, delusional tyranny !

A fine humanistic, compassionate piece of poetry and I wholeheartedly concur, 'suffer the little children' !