What in the World?

A few thoughts I've been ruminating on lately that have come to the surface on today's somber anniversary.

Cities transformed into war zones

Like some third-world police state.

People hating, mistrusting,

Misunderstanding each other

Based on class. 

Or race. 

Or religion.

Elders mistreated and disrespected.

Children going hungry and uneducated,

Bundles of wasted potential.

 

Politicians promoting their puritanical notions.

Telling others whom they can love and marry.

Trying to keep women in “their place.”

Petty partisan bickering

So that nothing constructive gets done.

Corruption.

 

Abroad, more of the conflicts

that have been smoldering and flaring for centuries.

Barbarism.

Unspeakable atrocities in the name of country or God.

Innocents in harm’s way.

Those trying to spread the story

Captured and murdered

In the most gruesome, horrendous fashion imaginable.

Corporations and governments

Indifferent to the damage they do,

Only caring about the bottom line.

Again, corruption.

Our problems are interconnected with the world’s.

 

Won’t it ever end?

I wish there were more I could do.

I can only throw words at it

And hope and pray that enough people

Come to their senses

And work for transformation.

 

Yet each good and innocent soul

Lost to the insanity of this world

Is not forever lost.

It is a light that will never be extinguished.

It is now one of many stars in the heavens

And their combined light will prevail.

Author's Note

Really random musings...it's up to you guys whether I leave it up.

Reviews

[Renée]

Leave it up Jennie... we need to read this often so we know..we are not alone in our questions and thoughts.
It is said "the meek shall inherit the earth" of course it is Biblical..and I am a Christian..but reading this piece it made me think of that verse and I wonder if all those hateful people will finally finish each other off and a few of the meek..shall walk out of a cave..inheriting all that is left.

[Jennie Baron]

That's an interesting scenario, for sure. It might be good depending on how much they destroy in finishing each other off (think of the antiquities destroyed in Iraq and the cities of Syria reduced to rubble). Nothing has changed in over a year since I posted this poem. It's gotten some positive comments so it will stay up. Thank you so much for reading, Renee. The opinion of a poet like you means a lot. Regards, Jen

[Renée]

So much to say, I'm glad you are keeping it up..

[Mr_M]

I love the balance and the hard hitting truth of this piece. The nature of the beast. Yet this beast could change their nature. Fantastic read.

[Jennie Baron]

Thanks very much for reading and reviewing, M. I'm pleased that you liked it.

[Matching Socks]

Started out so hard hitting, made me think 'yeah, wtf is going on, I give up' and then you turned into one of those inspiration moments, like the William Wallace pep talk in brave heart! All is not lost yet.

[Jennie Baron]

That's what I was trying to say. I held on to this for a while trying to put some positive spin on it. Wow, the William Wallace talk in Braveheart! That's great. I'm glad for your reading and review, Ana.

[Matching Socks]

My pleasure Jennie. :)

[RileyRedding]

Social commentary.
I'm quite a fan.
I agree with so much you have going here.
Ideas like these combined with such a bold narrative voice, you sure know how to rally the troops.

[Jennie Baron]

Social commentary was something new to me, so I'm glad you like this one. Most of my poems and my book tend toward the romantic. Thanks for reading!

[MomzillaNC]

Dogma is shredding peace around the world. It's so sad a commentary on the human race that we allow it to consume our societies.

I think you might find my own poem, "Dogma" an interesting companion to your statements. May I link your poem from mine?

[Jennie Baron]

I read "Dogma" and I see what you mean. Certainly you may link the poems. And thanks for reading and reviewing.

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome. And, thanks.

[Pryde Foltz]

Yet each good and innocent soul
Lost to the insanity of this world
Is not forever lost.
It is a light that will never be extinguished.
It is now one of many stars in the heavens
And their combined light will prevail.

Absolutely, Jennie … write on.

[Jennie Baron]

Pryde, I'm so pleased at your reading this and that you agree! Thank you!

[Terpsichore]

Two thousand years plus and counting and still the lessons have not been learned. It's time to ring the changes.

T

[Jennie Baron]

Absolutely! And thank you for reading!

[emmajoy]

' Corporations and governments .. Indifferent to the damage they do, .. Only caring about the bottom line... .. to ' .. It is now one of many stars in the heavens .. And their combined light will prevail.'

Tis by the so.called control of Power that emotions are quashed, killed stone-dead.. .. tis through the simplicity and need for light and love that emotions survive.

You write with your heart and amazing but subtle strength. Thank you.

[Jennie Baron]

You are too kind! My heartfelt thanks.

[MomzillaNC]

The following lines so perfectly sum up my own sentiments:
Won’t it ever end?
I wish there were more I could do.
I can only throw words at it
And hope and pray that enough people
Come to their senses
And work for transformation.

Dogma -- whether racial, societal, religious, or political -- is the real threat to humanity. While we tear each other apart, we let our earth slide further and further to irretrievable damaging change. When the Creator gathers us all for the Judgment and demands an accounting of our stewardship, what will we possibly be able to say?

[Jennie Baron]

A great question we need to think about. And maybe it will take Divine intervention to bring about the transformation.

[Jennie Baron]

I suppose the hope of that intervention is the hope I was trying to introduce in the last stanza.

[MomzillaNC]

And, maybe Divine interventions will be the sweeping earth clean of the parasite "Human"

[MomzillaNC]

Those last two lines are rather hopeless and at the same time hopeful.

[wordman]

sounds like you nailed it,now lets fix it lol

[Jennie Baron]

:) Wouldn't it be great if it were that easy? Thanks for reading and reviewing!

[wordman]

you are welcome

[Alfred Kukitz]

Oh Jennie, you see the world in many ways that renders your heart to the suffering, the disadvantaged, the small voices crying for freedom. No one knows this more than a caring, loving person such as you. Bless you!

[Jennie Baron]

Such kind and gracious words. That is so gratifying! Thanks so much and blessings to you also.