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..

[Sami Khalil]

"Abroad, more of the conflicts
that have been smoldering and flaring for centuries.
Barbarism.
Unspeakable atrocities in the name of country or God."

Excellent...:).......

[Jennie Baron]

As always the kind words and the courtesy of reading are much appreciated, Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure...:).........................

[Lyn Anderson]

This beautifully captures the futility and frustration many of us feel. I wish I knew the answer, too.

[Jennie Baron]

Yes, it took some time to come up with the note of optimism in the last stanza. I'm so pleased that you read and reviewed!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. You have nailed it on the head. So much truth in your words and message. Excellent read...:).............

[Jennie Baron]

It's always glad to hear from you, Sami, and I'm honored that you liked it. I held onto it until I could add that note of hope at the end, though maybe it sounds like I've read Dean Koontz too much, or like thinly veiled theology (as in maybe it will take divine intervention for the "light" to prevail)!

[Sami Khalil]

All possible. You are welcome...:)..........................

[Beccy]

Might change one day. I'm not holding my breath though. One innocent life is worth more than all of those that cause the misery.

[Jennie Baron]

True indeed, Beccy!

[Beccy]

It seems unending doesn't it; just a long depressing list of mankind's folly. The freedoms that were forged in two absolutely awful World wars, seem now to be being stolen almost by default. There is conflict almost everywhere and the suffering just goes on and one. How I pray for it to end.

Beccy

[Jennie Baron]

Me too, Beccy. I'm so glad you took the time to read and review.

[B-poet]

A very informative & factual account of our society's modern day issues. Great work. An astoundingly insightful write & read. :)

[Jennie Baron]

Thanks for reading and reviewing! Just getting out my frustrations after hearing and listening the news. I held onto it until I could find some hopeful words to end with and some of my favorite authors helped me there.

[KAREN]

The poem is so true. Your poem brings hope at it's closing stanza! Written really well!

[Jennie Baron]

Yes, I held onto this until I could add a closing note of hope to it. Thanks so much for your kind words!

[KAREN]

You're welcome!

[Samuel Dickens]

Please leave it up. It's such an accurate description of our world today. Things really are a mess, and there's too few people with enough good sense and proper feelings to do anything about it. "Throw words at it"...I like that, and in my humble way, do the same thing.

[Jennie Baron]

The words mean a lot to me coming from someone who definitely knows how to put a few words together himself! I appreciate it.

[kublakhan27]

Not much I can say about this one Jennie, it's all in the poem...you've laid it all out so precisely, with deep understanding and honesty...there is a tone of resignation in it that I think even the most optimistic person can relate to, which I'm not, I'll admit...stylistically it's very flexible, I'd even say you could even put this into prose form just as much as the poetic form, and I think it would make a powerful spoken-word piece...they may feel like random words but they are full of wisdom, and again, they're laid out in a way that makes them very relateable...well done my friend :)

[Jennie Baron]

Thanks, Steve! This is so short I think maybe the poetic form is appropriate. Optimistic...yeah, maybe the last stanza sounds like I've been reading Dean Koontz too much, and I don't know if it's obvious to the reader, but I realized there's thinly veiled Christian theology, too (as in maybe the transformation will take divine intervention). Your kind words are a compliment coming from such a talented poet!

[kublakhan27]

I did pick up on that a little bit haha Always a pleasure Jennie...thank you in turn for all your kind words as always :)