All We Have Become

( dark, yes dark)

we reside in threatening times 

where spores of hate mutate

to spread wide their evil eye

where song birds choke on smoke

black acrid menacing a mean trail

drifting into oblivion's winding path

rubble piles high in cities bombed

blasted to kingdom come children

half starved oozing weeping skin 

rancid breath the reaper sweeps in

for deaths deadliest destruction

those remaining bleeding in pain

the heart of humanity has gone

it settles down with a crying sun

as this global glum world unfurls

discharging its misery for all to see

in the media on tv plastered, our

disaster of all we have become

Reviews

[KWP]

I think it is easy to forget the light is there. I also think it is easy for humanity to forget that we are all in this together. It starts with self, but in these times, that starting with self must be damned dynamic to shake those sleeping awake to smell the roses, see the sun rise, feel it's shine and remember each moment is a miracle, each experience a blessing. Your words are strong, the times we live in reflect that.

Much much love X

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you KWP. Your thoughts welcome and very much appreciated. All the best to you x

[William Michael Reeves]

All is not lost Chris! I like...I want, to believe for every evil deed done ten good are done. Some media tries to see. If we search for good it can be found. But those nasty mutating spores sprouting poisonous mushroom...oh please, lets hope they don't become clouds!

[Chris Shaw]

There is always good if you look for it, athough the situation in Ukraine is a black cloud over us all at the moment. Thank you Bill for your thoughts.

Chris

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

This poem has described how awful this world has become! War overseas, war could happen at anytime anywhere! This was written really well!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kathy. The world is certainly a dangerous place at present. Have a peaceful Sunday.

Chris

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

My pleasure!

Have a great Sunday too!

[JE Falcon]

A great remembrance poem, Chris. I've often wondered if wars shouldn't be fought on chess boards or football games.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Falcon for your thoughts. Have a peaceful Sunday.

Chris

[Patricia]

This is so good and so appropriate for today! Wow you should feature this! Excellent

[Chris Shaw]

Wrote this one a year ago and realise how appropriate it is for the Ukraine situation. Darker than dark. Thanks Patricia.

Chris

[Patricia]

You're welcome, it is perfect for Ukraine

[Pete]

this drags me down. we're becoming nothing. such a sad state of affairs. for some reason, i had always thought more highly of putin. oh well. what goes around comes around (those who live and die by the sword). acceptance and reason are becoming increasingly rare commodities. very poignant and stinging chris ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Pete. I wrote this a year ago, but now realise how appropriately it describes current affairs. Yes, it is darker than dark. Not an easy write for me but a truthful one. Appreciate you and your visits.

Chris

[keith]

a fine tribute for the strife of the innocents of ukraine.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Keith. I wrote this a year ago, but it is so fitting for current events, it needed an airing. Pleased you found it.

Chris

[Louisa Chan]

Thanks Chris for this sensational poem. I enjoyed it. I see the use of thematic vocabulary here: ooze, discharge, unfurl, drift, spread...Yes, indeed, what are we spreading on earth and what have we become?
Other than the bombs and sufferings inflicted on children, I particularly like this line:
"song birds choke on smoke"
because we humans think we're superior to all other species or forms of existence, but that's so wrong - we are just part of a grand existence, and we often times are just too indifferent to the needs of other species...
Louisa

[Chris Shaw]

I so appreciate your review Louisa. Thank you for stopping by. I wrote this poem last year. It seems even more relevant today.

Happy Friday to you.

Chris

[shadrach hah]

Hi Chris, What have we become, we have become something dark, that wants only to destroy. only by standing together can we find the way to the light. I love the strength and depth of this piece. It looks like there is no end to the darkness, then sometimes, a chink of light is seen. Your poetic grace forever shines.

[Chris Shaw]

Another thoughtful review and visit from you Mike. Thank you so much for checking in.

Chris

[shadrach hah]

Hi Chris, you are more than welcome. Have a wonderful Friday. Hugs always....Mike.

[Dylan Macadham]

Yes, Dark! and it's the way I often feel when I turn on CNN. (So, why do I turn it on? Good question).
I guess the bright side (silly to say, of course, how can there be a bright side?) is the flip-side: while the general state of our world is akin to a locomotive chugging toward Hell, it's often refreshing and life-affirming when we come across individuals who Golden-Rule us (treating us as they would wish to be treated). ...Funny, I got a wee bit cranky with a supermarket clerk yesterday, who then Golden-Ruled me. Ashamed, I profusely apologized :)

[Chris Shaw]

Oh yes, unusually dark for me, but there have been dark incidents close to home more recently. The violence is spreading and I am very conscious that when I was young I felt happier and safer. I am so pleased you made amends with the supermarket clerk. That rule, treat others as you wish to be treated yourself, I try and live by. A little kindness goes a long way. Thanks Dylan for checking in. Happy Wednesday.

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

...and Happy Thursday to you Chris!

[Caroline B A Maguire]

I felt that this was a dark period in your life when you were trying to.make sense of the seemingly senseless suffering in our broken world..I hope in your writing you found an outlet.very poignant..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Caroline. I appreciate you stopping by to leave your thoughts on this poem. Best wishes.read moreThank you Caroline. I appreciate you stopping by to leave your thoughts on this poem. Best wishes.

Chris