Charred Hearts

Maybe black-hearted boys in love with death won't blow themselves and us to smithereens. Gillian Clarke poem marking Barack Obama's inauguration

 We shared a moment, you and I

saw history made had the audacity to hope.

 Yet in the midst of winter, I wonder

after the old era of dumb war has died

 

won’t there be scars on the heart

and reason for some to loath the West.

I think it fine that if those whose fists

are clenched release their grasp,

 

America will hold out its hand:

yet cannot help but reflect

that we in the West still deal in arms,

speak of democracy deny its results. 

 

I wonder what it is that turns the heart

black. Is it just the love of death

the promise of Virgins waiting

 

or white phosphorus burning down

to the very bone, a pit where a home

used to be, a street cleared,

dismembered children screaming?

 

I ask not to excuse the death of innocents

but in wonder if these black-hearted boys

act in wanton cruelty

or are merely following an example.  

 

Reviews

[bluessadmood]

That was a very bitter ,very strong writing of how our world came to be
Speak of democracy deny its results..Wonder what it is that turns the heart so black
Is it the love of death..White phosphorus burning down,to the very bone..
A pit where a home used to be,a street cleared..dismembered children screaming
Lovely write..

[SilentDream]

A powerful piece. One to linger on and take to heart.
It leaves me waiting for a response, a second voice to
answer the questions posed.

Thanks for sharing.
~SilentDream

[Donald Meikle]

Could it possibly be that too many people causes us to lose the value of life? How can one follow reason without being in constant lock step and thus seek freedom?

[Sel Whiteley]

This is fantastic. You really paint a strong picture of the young men in this situation. How the outside world can judge but ultimately never truly understand the driving forces that can act as catalysts to such actions.

[fireblossom]

Yes. This poem poses a great question and does it so well. History is a tale of dominance. A struggle of ideals and beliefs. The young have always carried the wishes of thier elders on poor bent backs.

Well done.

[Gandré]

I think, he inherited catastrophal economy and situation and I think, he will need to find a new meaning for Americans, how to keep them hoping even when he will need to raise taxes, where from to take money? he daily makes debts to pay pensions and health care and wages for his congress members, and if there is 13 billion dollar debts, then this means to me that every American, child, woman or man has 40,000 dollar debts! I even think, he will go to Pakistan, just few days ago Taliban were just 100 km away of Islamabad...They are heading into Civil War; who else should protect them if not USA? This was a wonderful poem, the modern poet's optimism is questioning what 'can be', and you encourage with your poem to find silver lining in every dark cloud and you hope with your words not to sink in despair of a war but see the essencial goodness in life, I think Obama & team is great on diplomacy.