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.

[Ranger Kessel]

Thank you. It was a nice read. It is a beautiful place and we ruin it as people. I felt optimism in this moving forward. Thank you for sharing

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ranger for this second visit today. Very much appreciated.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

The prayer we all make , especially parents who see the future as not being very certain.

lovely sentiments Chris as a new year comes on the horizon... a clean and perfect canvas on which to paint a beautiful new picture.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Stella for your lovely review. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

I couldn't agree more Christine. But couldn't say it as beautifully. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Ken, from Scottish Gaelic to me and back to you as Happy New Year. With all good wishes.

Chris

[George David Hope]

Such a lovely poem. This planet is a place full of wonder and such beauty it's just a pity we cannot see it for what it really is instead of destroying it through greed and war.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you George for your lovely response. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Chris

[George David Hope]

Wishing you and all your family a great 2019

[Gee]

Here's hoping the new year is a happier more peaceful place, and Liverpool win everything :))))
Of course it was well written and a pleasure to read, why would it not be, it came from your quill :))))

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Gee, and him indoors will be very happy if Liverpool pick up all the gongs. Pleased this one meets your approval.

Chris

[duck]

the positivity from this poem did override all the bad that goes on in life and the negativity, strong and powerful poetry with a tittle of a poem that throws the reader and really makes them think. great read.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks duck. I am wondering whether you are Philip duck from another poetry site? Just asking cos I've never come across another duck before who loves poetry :) I appreciate your visit very much. I was cassie58 once upon a time.

Chris

[CA Anurag Sharma]

Words of wisdom presented beautifully. Living and loving is easy but humans complicate it. Thanks for sharing this lovely piece of writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Welcome to my page Anurag. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts. Many thank yous.

Chris

[Crosby Idasa]

Such a nice poem... I hope the world becomes a better place

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Crosby. Greetings to you, and yes we can all hope and pray for a more peace loving world. I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

Chris

[Crosby Idasa]

you are welcome

[lightsong]

BEAUTIFUL prayer, beautiful feeling, beautiful world to be... and in these holy days Your words mean even more, Your title is amazing to my mind, and that last verse... oh hauntingly beautiful, You are not only trying to spread kindness to the world, but You also feel those who suffer and feel the heavens up there weeping over earth for all the madness which goes over it.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous for your beautiful and thoughtful review.

Chris

[Ted Kniffen]

"It's knowing that your door is always open
and your path is free to walk" - John Hartford
Would that the sentiment in your poem could come to pass, Chris, but the world the way it is I fear that the divisions are to great to bridge.
Doesn't mean we can't try.
Merry Christmas friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ted. We can all do our bit. Merry Christmas to you and yours also and all the best for 2019.

Chris