"The Line" in collaboration with Sleepless Volcano and editing by Richard

an English Sonnet

The Line

Drawn there in rows, they wait on news to come;

the kids play hide-and-seek, while parents paced.

Is no one there to beat their silent drum?   

So thick the dread, all hope is soon erased.

A shout collides on empty space today,

with steel resolve for havens not their own.

A mother gives her babe to thieves in pay,

foul reaping fruits fermenting sin thus sown.

Now, strangers' hands are raised in muted cries,

demanding place to have in have nots' angst.

The child reveals his wide, bewildered eyes,

a light that hopes to shine upon their ranks.

Although the lines are muddied down through time;

alone, a child will pay for all this crime.

Author's Note

Reviews

[barleygirl]

To be honest, my main complaint about sonnets is that they are usually too fluffy in content. It's like poets are concentrating on nailing the form, but the message is often lukewarm romantic tripe that sounds like every other sonnet. Well, let me tell ya, this sonnet does NOT suffer that malady! You have something to say & you say it with such powerful intensity, the reader is completely forgetting to look at whatever traces of "sonnet" might be there to inspect & admire! This is a great poem & I congratulate you all on your poetic efforts & for having such heart (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness dear barley!! how you have made this effort more than worth it .. i agree completely about your complaint with sonnets .. the form often compels the poet to revert to antiquated language .. so very happy you did not find this so .. i read one time that in writing any poetry .. it should always read as one speaks .. i confess i do not always follow that .. but with sonnets .. i think it is especially important .. so glad you decided to review this one my friend!
E.

[h d e rushin]

"is no one there to beat their silent drum". The role of the poet is today as it was in the 18th century. They wrote of culture, civilization and improvement of the current world. Their role was as a reflector of the external reality. I saw a picture of the huddled migrants behind an iron fence. It was heartbreaking. Our world is so unrecognizable.
You write with passion my friend; the passion that pry's open the stuck door of observation. Like the poets of the 1700's, the world has to be a better place......great poem...dana

[Einstein Noodle]

Dana...that means a lot to me that you say so...thanks so much for taking time to read and review ... it is our job to present the world as it is ...as best we can ... inspiration for the theme is on Sleepless ... and Richard editing was huge .. i guess collaborating with three of us is kind of what we need concerning the problems we face these days as a nation .. certainly Sovereignty needs to be respected ... anyone buying property has borders and decides who crosses or not .. anyone with heart will recognize when there is immediate danger protection should be afforded if possible .. children are a symbol universally upheld as innocent and vulnerable .. the sanctity of life held in highest regard would help us all a lot. so glad to know you here dana .. you know what i think of your "voice" ;)))))))
E.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Your writing styles truly complement each other, a excellent blending.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Cherrie ..appreciate your reading and taking time to review ... Sleepless inspired me to begin and has been on some kind of vacation since .. so the blending was more his theme ... i re-wrote this many times over changing words and phrases trying to make it right ..and still hold true to the Volcano's theme ... having Richard edit, of course, made it closer to what he calls "proper" ;)))))))) love and peace friend!
E.

[Neville]

well, well well, what we got here then... a magnificent achievement for the pair of ya.. a sonnet and true, by Jove.. these words would look and sound good in any poetry book... well bloomin done ... something I have never done ...........Neville

[Einstein Noodle]

Richard has been encouraging me to write them .. they are so difficult for me to do .. had not the Volcano got the ball rolling i'm not sure i would have made this attempt .. but surprisingly it was not the protracted labor my previous attempts have been ... and having Richard edit, of course gave me confidence in it being "proper" ...in the past i felt a need to infuse some order into my randomness in writing ..this one was rather satisfying and i will keep writing them me thinks ... thanks for reading Nev ... love on ya fer sure .. and down yer back buddy! :)))))))))
E.
ps. you should try one!

[Neville]

My sincere pleasure Gene & true.... Oh' and never say never.. say's Nev :))

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahahahah ok! i won't :)

[Neville]

coz one of us sayin it is more than enuf... :)