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.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Amen sister, what world that could be.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Cherrie. All good wishes.

Chris

[barleygirl]

I love your poem in so many ways! It's a Christmas gift to my way of seeing the world. I feel terrible about the tragedies & I dream about world peace. You've wrapped up all my fondest feelings in a big bow. Your way of expressing everything is bright & fresh, plus that last stanza is truly artful. I love the moon & the dawn/dusk planets hanging in irridescent skies, so your last observations really POP! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased to hear I hit the target with this poem Margie. Thank you for your uplifting response. It made me smile.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

I love this and the message included and concluded. Humans want to live in peace, honor and dignity as well as the freedom to be and express. But we all have responsibilities. Marvelous Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami for your lovely thoughts.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome.

[NotUsinganymore]

Vert beautiful. I liked the first praragraph. I wish that all the dark stuff are gone and only good things are left.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you JungLee. All the best.

Chris

[Jade]

This is so wonderful, I love your last stanza. Heartfelt and so well written

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Brandie Jade, thank you for your visit. Your thoughts appreciated.

Chris

[Jibey]

A sad and beautiful prayer, capturing the sorrow of a world that groans in travail, and a longing for peace and blessing. Heartfelt and moving.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Jibey for this review. Much appreciated. All good wishes for Christmas.

read moreMany thank yous Jibey for this review. Much appreciated. All good wishes for Christmas.

Chris

[richieb]

Christine,
A beautiful message of Hope, we can never give up. Your words show the tender innocence we must believe in and protect. A great poem for the Christmas season. Thank you!
Peace and Blessings,
Richie b.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Richie for your lovely review. All good wishes.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Love, hope and faith will always exists as long as true hearts beat.
A very uplifting poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cowboy for your visit and review. Happy you found my words uplifting.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Your words soft, meaningful and worthwhile.
"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."
The above lines. I did like. You asked questions with simple answers. We can organize a world cup but we cannot organize a world where peace is known. Thank you Chris for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Coyote for your very interesting response. Some things we are good at, we need to get better at others. All good wishes.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear Chris and you re welcome.

[Amada]

It's such an amazing piece of writing.
Amazingly written.
Thanks for sharing ma'am.
Looking forward to read more

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Rahul for your lovely response.

Chris