Ashes

Can new life start from ashes,
from the pieces left behind?

Long burnt by the flames of pain,
destroyed for being kind.

The town was burnt,
the residents fled.

But can they return:
can they revive the dead?

Their homes destroyed,
Their fields salted.

Their hearts broken,
but can they revive what was once exalted?

Like a phoenix
they will rise again.

They shall stand
as tall as Big Ben.

Somehow their spirits
were never quite broken.

They rise from the ground;
Their phoenix is smokin'!

What was once gone
is alive and well.

The hearts of the broken
ascend from hell

Reviews

[Baby Ricochet]

No matter how hard dictators and corrupted governments try you just can't keep the people down forever. That's what I got from this. Great poem Will.

[Will]

People are resilient creatures, man. They'll do great things to get themselves back. Thanks for reading

[Rita L. Sev]

I am immediately reminded of a church hymn we sing during lent; the first lines: We rise again from ashes from the good we've failed to do; we rise again from ashes to create ourselves anew..."

I like what you've done with this - you show the devastation, the destruction - and the hope that all is not lost. Solid rhyme and good flow - though that one line is a bit long:

Their hearts broken,
but can they revive what was once exalted?

Maybe:
Their hearts broken,
can they revive the once exalted?

Well done, Will!

[Will]

You know, I know that hymn too, and it is appropriate here. I hadn't thought of it. That exalted line was giving me headaches for a while, but neither my friend nor I could figure out what the hell i should do with it. I'm glad you came up with something. As always, your reviews, corrections, amendments, and commentary is always welcome and greatly appreciated.