A World Changed

Englyn Penfyr

If I could change the world today, I would …

cease childhood pain and defray

where innocent become prey.

Rebuild generations of shattered lives, 

when edged knives pierce souls battered,

and most human love, scattered.

N'er loneliness ensnare a child as friend;

nor, wend a spirit exiled …

weeping, heartlessly defiled.

I'd banish all evil - true twisted minds,

mankind's shamelessly askew ...

through the fires, forged brand-new.

May every child warmed by a womb within

begin … eyes cast t'ward the sky,

knowing pure love ~ lifted high.

Author's Note

Englyn Penfyr
(in-glin pin-fir)

The Englyn Penfyr is one of 24 traditional Welsh stanzaic forms,
dating as far back as the early 8th century, it was recited before royalty.
Composed of 3 lines; L1 is 10 syllables, while L2 and L3 are 7 syllables each;
The first occurrence of the dominant rhyme in L1 is followed by a syllable and
a rhyme, which is repeated within the first two or three syllables of line 2.
Three verses is considered a poem, but there is no verse limit.

The rhyme scheme per verse, therefore, is A-b, b-A, A as follows:
xxxxxxxA-xb
xbxxxxA
xxxxxxA

xxxxxxxC-xd
xdxxxxC
xxxxxxC

xxxxxxxE-xf
xfxxxxE
xxxxxxE

Etc....

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

Congratulations, your Incredible still and artistry in displaying and explaining a form of poetry, plus use it to speak so humanely and sensitively, is superb. This is how poetry speaks to the masses, Susan. You truly are an inspiration to readers and reviewers alike.. reminding us how beautifully liquid the sonnet form is. Many, many thanks .

'I'd banish all evil - true twisted minds,
mankind's shamelessly askew ...
through the fires, forged brand-new.'

[Susan 🦋]

Hi Emma, apologies for late reply. I am not on here much lately. Thank you for reviewing and for the compliments! Very much appreciated! :-)

[emmajoygreen]

Although, thank you - no apologies necessary. Try to get back now and again, we need your inspiration!

[Davidgeo]

This is something parents should have to read before they have children. It would help in the fight against the epidemic of personality disorder we see today. Be nice to your children, teach them without trauma... they don't know how to cope yet.

[Susan 🦋]

So true! Thank you for reading! :-)

[William Michael Reeves]

Your poem has a little deeper meaning considering the latest shooting of children. I just hope the trauma the survivors must endure does not dampen their love in life. I wish poets were the omnipotent beings that write wishes into truth. Writing hope is all we can do. Powerful poem Susan!

[Susan 🦋]

Missed this review… yes, this world needs a change. Action and hope😊

[Coyote Poetry]

My wish too dear Susan.
"May every child warmed by a womb within
begin … eyes cast t'ward the sky,
knowing pure love ~ lifted high."
Lately I cannot write. Hard to create with so much chaos. We need to be kind to each other. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Susan 🦋]

I know how you feel. Not sure if i have any poetic words in me anymore but thank you for reading.

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Susan. Sometime, we must write for the children. Sometimes we must write for the people who cannot. We need writers to remind our world dear friend. Still kind folks left and we care for the children.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Again, I admire your ability to write formal poems. It is not easy, I know. In fact, nothing about poetry of any sort is easy, now that I think about it. Tip of the straw hat. Good job.

Winston

[Susan 🦋]

Thank you Winston.

[Tate Morgan]

Your work always has depth and meaning. What more can we leave behind?

[Susan 🦋]

Hello Tate! Thanks for reading! :-)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'd like to graciously compliment you on your skill to consistently write such exquisite forms of poetry. I don't have the pleasure of knowing you, but I wanted you to know you are admired for it!

[Susan 🦋]

Good morning Kelly and thank you for such kind words!! A beautiful review to greet a chilly Wisconsin morning.

[Einstein Noodle]

gorgeous in every way .. love the message and you fit it to the form non-forced, not trite .. you are very good with your "voice" Ms. Susan .. always a treat to read you .. our children are battered and bruised daily .. bombarded with violence and sex in games, TV, movies, books ... commercials meant to bend ones will .. i could not agree more with your social statement .. and hope in the closing lines .. i was with my wife when each of our 4 children were born and no matter who else attended .. each time there was a hush and an awe at the "breath of life" witnessed in that first cry. well done! bravo says i!
E.

[Susan 🦋]

Good Morning Gene! Thank you for taking the time to read and review. I work with children in different aspect from teaching to community service. I've raised several. The things this broken world does to children is just pure evil. Children are not safe in this world. I traveled to the Dominican on a mission trip (Dental, I am an RDH) One little girl, maybe about 4 years old, would not leave my side. Her parents were somewhere in this line of 200 people to be seen in the make-shift clinic. Unbelievable poverty. She needed bath and clothes and shoes! Just a wisp of a little thing. What kind of future will she have? That is the reality of this world. That is just the tip of what I was trying to express. The problem of course is so much greater. Children are a blessing. Every child, everywhere. Thank you for sharing your story. Yes, that first cry is something I don't even have words for. I simply cried too :)

[Einstein Noodle]

love dear friend .. love and comfort ... i feel you and send my prayers for you and yours ..