The Flag of Democracy

Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism. Benazir Bhutto

We’ll cry tears of salt and we will mourn

Today for sure and for the days to come,

 

The fog of violence still hanging in the air,

The blood of death and barbarous injuries

Carved as a black and white etching

in our minds forever

 

But tomorrow we will rise again,

 

Because we are humans,

People with feelings of compassion,

Because we care

and our hearts are full of love,

 

Strengthened by our charity,

Standing tall because of our humanity,

We will prevail,

 

Together with our brothers and sisters

In the whole world,

We are legion in our battle

To keep the flag of democracy blowing,

 

Even when it storms today.

 

© Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere

24/03/2016

Author's Note

I'm a Belgian.

Reviews

[Lorry]

Perfectly summing up both mans humanity and inhumanity in one subject, which leaves us knowing in our hearts, that evil will never win through the minds of the masses, when we come together as one and stand defiantly against the backdrop of terrorism and say as one, Non, Nee, niet, nein, no.
Superbly written. Great job.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thanks, Nemo. :) Rudi

[anne]

Oh!
you took my heart away...i have read the stories of struggle of so many countries for democracy...it give a real sense to humanity...more than being administrative or political, it is nothing but the voice of the people...
OF THE PEOPLE...BY THE PEOPLE...FOR THE PEOPLE...
I think my day is good, i got a phenomenal write:))

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Anne. :) Rudi

[Cassie]

wow..Rudi,this is really good, it has some warmth particularly the last stanza. I feel so nice after reading this. Thank you for putting it together

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thanks, Cassie, means a lot to me, thanks for the favorable comment. :) Rudi

[Nisreen]

I feel every word
Those mass acts of violence signify no religion
It is a marching band of cowardly dead men
My heart goes out for any place on planet earth that suffers due to their ignorance
But evil never wins eventually they will fall

A write with great compassion and sense of unity
Bravo Rudi

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

thank you so much, Nisreen, for those wise words. :) Rudi

[emmajoy]

Rudi.. please, please forgive me for not reviewing this before> have read it twice, feeling desperately sad and shocked. It could so easily have been here, or in Paris or...

Your words are more than heart-stopping, yet they display great dignity and also, the determination to not allow the evil happening to weaken your or indeed any other country's spirit.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Emma, for your beautiful words. It's always nice to read your comment. Have a good day, my friend. :) Rudi

[emmajoy]

Guilty i didn't review before.. just couldn't do so calmly. You've written with great restraint yet must have felt, do feel, such a mixture of emotions.o

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

That's true, but it's a feeling we all have in Europe these days, the war has come to us. I hope such horror will not happen again. Thanks. :) Rudi

[emmajoy]

I pray as many others do, hope as many others do, that it won't happen again... anywhere.. but.. read moreI pray as many others do, hope as many others do, that it won't happen again... anywhere.. but..

[Lasergraph]

The content is very powerful. Tragedy affects us all and when things seem senseless it affects even more so. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Lasergraph, for reading and commenting. :) Rudi

[TheRaven]

I can't bring myself to read this in an overly critical viewpoint. It's simply worded, but the subject matter is not. This is what it is. An ode to the dead, a mournful song but also a cry for hope. A rally for us to stay together in these dark times where it seems the light does not exist. But, we can find it if we try. My heart is with you, and Belgium, and France, and the victims all over the world and in the Middle East where they face this daily. Thanks for writing this Rudi. We are all people, and we do people things; including monstrous things. But, as people, we can do great things as well.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you so much, Raven, for reading and commenting these thoughts that I've written down. We certainly can do great and good things as well. I love that statement. :) Rudi

[mattavelli]

Hello, Rudi, I thought of you when I heard the news of the bombings in Brussels.
This poem is powerful. Your message is true.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you so much for your thoughts and comment, Matt. :) Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend. Can't allow terror to win. Show them we are stronger than their hate.
"Together with our brothers and sisters
In the whole world,
We are legion in our battle
To keep the flag of democracy blowing,"
We must stand as one in this world against violence. Thank you my friend for sharing your words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, John, for your thoughts and comment. :) Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Rudi.