the book burning

The veins routed the long, cold streams

like waterways that would not thaw

even into the furnace of their hankering hearts.

none knew the children were beneath the shadows.

none knew their diseased systems were contagious.

Tell me preacher, 

when you first lit the cleansing pyre

were you the fire or the wind?

Could you hear their skulls 

shrinking from the chilled notions

or the vacuous brains compensating for the loss?

And tell me,

did the dolts of your propaganda

seek solace; did their infested vessels

seek their cheeks to rosy against glow,

and did your hard-on thicken 

and your girth sicken your mind

while you placed your sunken lips 

to their parching ears

and sucked what was left 

of their independent condition

while they expected cultivation

and mistook you for it?

none knew the children would never understand.

none knew that they were lemmings along to your edge.

Did your incredulous hands warm against the blaze?

Did the religious books burn red like your American blood?

The veins of their mind continued

to route those long, cold streams 

along the waterways that would not thaw

even as those foreign pages bounded in 

sheathes of un-interpretable verse

became unwarranted dross.

The children would later sift

through those smoldering blessings

still reeking of your sour breath

seeking purity, but only lifting their eyes.

Some would never discover

that the smell of the righteous

would well serve investigated.

Some would later discover

these molten principles could never be exhumed.

Reviews

[redflutterby]

This poem effects me deeply. I've been reading since I was three years old. The need to consume books was very powerful. I'm sure in my teens there were books I read that some holier than thou book banner would have found offensive. Probably many...lol. Your words are amazing and perfect on this subject...

[DaughterNature]

Really reminds me of Fahrenheit 451, the thought of book burnings always sickens me. I love that here you use a religions, "righteous" figure versus children -- why can't he let them make decisions about the world on their own? This has so much power in it, I could almost tell you not to change a thing; but there is one line that sticks out to me. This poem is written in such clarity, but the line "none knew their diseased systems were contagious" feels clunky and out of place -- is there a better way to say it?

[Kai Rollins]

I won't use a burning or searing pun....
Stealing books from the children. Before they ever knew what was there. Powerful stuff. I enjoyed

[m.s.early]

(: Your review has such an teasing undercurrent. Thank you for reading :)

[DIVYA]

A very powerful write. An outstanding poem from you. Thanks for sharing.

[m.s.early]

(: thank you divya :)

[Claire in VA]

Incredibly SEARING use of poetry to voice your thoughts about the topic at hand. John Boy would be proud as well as honored. ;)
Passionate and powerful.
Claire

[m.s.early]

(: Thank you Claire :)

[Mockingbird]

this poem illustrates the deplorable act of book burning. it can eventually result in human beings reverting to a primitive state and becoming mindless slaves to the tyrants who sanctioned it. the children would suffer the consequences by being deprived of enlightenment and remain as sheep. the sight of it may frighten them but they may not even understand the significance of what is happening. having to grow up without the wisdom imparted by great thinkers. this also exposes the hypocrisy and ugliness of those to whom we put our faith and trust, those who abhor independent thought and seek to imprison the minds of the people. this is an impassioned and moving piece. it's hard to articulate the effect that this poem can have on someone who shares the same feelings.

[m.s.early]

Thank you so much mockingbird. What scares me more than those who wish to stifle independent thinking because it conflicts with their own agenda is less frightening to me than those who commit to it out of error, but believing they are morally right for doing so. There are those who get "a rise" out of condemning people, especially dangerous. Thanks again :)

[s y e]

X, I am running out of adjectives to tell you how amazing your work is and how it is so relatable in many to so many people. I loved this one, just about blew me away!

[m.s.early]

You're so kind, sweet noodle :) Thank you for all of your gracious reviews :)

[Brittany Zedalis]

This is absolutely stunning. Superb writing, here. :]

[m.s.early]

(: thank you brittany :)

[Linda alexander]

of their independent condition
while they expected cultivation
and mistook you for it?
Poet tries to reinforce the fact how important one's direct and indirect communication affects the younger generation who are vacuums, also can be the incessant video recorder too, so do not create situations for learning molten principles by them

[m.s.early]

Thank you so much Linda. As if book burning isn't horrid enough, the disease of the fear that provokes it is contagious and passed down generationally.

[Linda alexander]

You welcome, I did not get the full abstractness, but I tried