Lampada Tradere Nostrum Est

Fade to dull monochrome by dragging out and hanging on,

meanwhile the night sky empties of stars long since gone,

echoes of a distant time past dispersed and dispensed,

looking out on nothing through a crystal ball lens,

not seeing with these eyes, not knowing the half,

in fear of rumours of battles 'twixt light and dark,

creation and destruction, re-named good and evil,

now sinners flock to point out the day's favourite heathens,

here in the ice palace the flame burns inside,

for it is our tradition to uphold the light,

to carry the torch through the swamps rising,

to fall in vain, brought down by the fighting,

praying for those serving Mammon in need,

hoping the lost will someday find their feet,

here in the ice palace dragging things out,

words are mere nothings lacking in clout,

frozen away to the turn of the 'thirties,

see how they run from history's certainties,

still it is our tradition to uphold the lamp,

so we'll mention a little girl called Anne Frank,

wars are fought in many subtle ways,

we who know are counting our days,

those who so wish dance in a giddy, drunken daze,

but hands that help do more than lips that pray,

so we shall honour the tradition to uphold the lamp,

'til all human footprints blown away in time's shifting sands.

Reviews

[Vidya Bacchus]

Sometimes people don't want to face the truth so they bury their head in the sand.Sometimes like Ann Frank a little thing like her diary can make such big impact,I love your poem:)

[LovingJoy]

Thank you for your positive appreciation of the piece, very grateful.

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome:P

[Sami Khalil]

"wars are fought in many subtle ways,

we who know are counting our days,

those who so wish dance in a giddy, drunken daze,

but hands that help do more than lips that pray,"

Battles can be won and dances can be done...Bravo...................

[LovingJoy]

Hi Sami, thanks for reading the poem, and for your comments, you are right - there is time for business and pleasure, both are important. that's funny, as in amusing in a nice way - I just posted this then read Verve, on the outside two differing takes, eh?! My "dances" here is just a metaphor for closing the eyes to the evident to avoid upset/confrontation and more, not the delightful activity you describe so warmly in Verve!

[Sami Khalil]

I love it...You are welcome...:)..................