Gentle On My Mind

Let this planet be a place

of gentle thought and kindly deeds.

Extinguish all the fires of hate

that grow like mould on old stale bread.

Each one of us is doomed to die,

but let it be by natural means

and not by those whose hatred spills

to torch our world and flame it red.

While in their beds our young ones sleep,

what scope, what hope, no wonder I

search out for answers and for peace

when travelling in the pre-dawn sky.

A crescent moon blows me a kiss

and Venus winks but yet I hear

beyond the heavens hurtling down

an echo sobbing in my ear.

Reviews

[Eilis]

A wonderful, hopeful message for the season. It is difficult to understand so many things about human choice and action. For example: why do we often choose chaos over peace? It seems counterintuitive.

But we still have hope and the freedom of will, and maybe every personal choice to pursue peace will advance ideas like these.

I really enjoyed the images in the last stanza. A nice touch of whimsy and imagination. I also appreciate this little message of light shining among the darkness. Great work, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Eilis for your thoughts. Good to have you here on my page. All good wishes to you and yours at Christmas.

Chris

[Eilis]

Thanks for the wishes, Chris. Hope you and yours had a lovely holiday.

[heith.ash]

Wow .your poem just touched my heart.
Your poem portrays the reality of this world . I wish people could understand this. Wherever I look I only find hate and jealousy.its like people have forgotten that they are HUMANS.
wonderful poem with deep message.
Great work chris

[Chris Shaw]

What a generous review you have afforded to this poem. Many thanks. I truly appreciate your visit.read moreWhat a generous review you have afforded to this poem. Many thanks. I truly appreciate your visit.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed sentiments many ordinary folk aspire to Chris. Nicely penned out in this sad piece

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John. Have a great week-end.

Chris

[Richard M]

So beautiful Chris but sadly, unfortunately true. Such beautiful language and phrasing too. I love it and happy to put this in my library. Thank you for writing such a beautiful piece and keeping lit, the torch of love, hope and peace. I so love the title!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Richard, especially for incding this write in your library. Most appreciated. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[gram linski]

A tender sweet poem, full of love and hope,

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks gram for reviewing. All good wishes.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

What an earnest voice of reflection coming from your presence of the moment. We lucky few as witness and to the scrawl hear those cries profound. these lines roll out like a water flow i especially like these ones...While in their beds our young ones sleep,
what scope, what hope, no wonder I
search out for answers and for peace

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Bunny for your thoughts on this poem. I really appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Crowley]

What a great rhythm this has. A cascading masterpiece of hope and supplication, questions and underlying truths. Just amazing.

[Chris Shaw]

What a fantastic review Crowley. Pleased you liked this one. All good wishes.

Chris

[Edie Blue Starfish]

this is written with such tenderness and compassion, and hope
we still look to the stars when dreaming, I think because we know our wishes often fall on deaf ears
it's a beautiful poem

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Edie for your lovely review. All good wishes.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Christine... an echo sobbing in my ear... where fear is haunting
the hemisphere.. if only our leaders could save our world... before
the candles cradle rainbows and men line up to die for humanity
when the light is seen so far away. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Pat. Thank you for giving this older poem an airing. Lovely to see you visit. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Beautiful thoughts words wishes and i wish for it to be- a better place for you and me- if only there could be an intense change of heart in those who need it- wonderful words🌹

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kelly. There needs to be a grand shift of ideas to make this planet a more compassionate place. Fingers crossed.

Chris

[Frederika]

Great poem with a lovely message

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Frederika. I appreciate your visit. Happy New Year.

Chris