Lost in the Fire

Hate is a powerful emotion and one that can be very infectious. Any sense of decency or common sense can fall to its pernicious nature.

Lost in the Fire

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.- James Baldwin

I burn

No fires

Can claim me

Immolation deserved 

Incinerated vaporous embers 

Inflamed upon societal indifference 

Smoldering ashen pile devoid of my color 

Hatred paints flame in starlight sunsets auburn 

In the cinders grey my oppressors and I are equal tinge

Dust to dust we find commonality in our bigoted destruction 

Do not weep upon the bonfires of our self inflicted annihilation 

For in the ash bares a pestilence of infectious acrimonious rancor 

Let peaceful wind claim us so that our ideologies are lost to history forever 

Only when the last of us is finally consumed by flame will hate be lost in the fire  

Author's Note

When I wrote this a few weeks back it was about 95 degrees outside and I was complaining to my muse about the unbearable weather. And she replied, again in a very sensual Cate Blanchett voice, "You don't know what hot is so quit your bitching and write this down." And being her submissive I did exactly as I was told. Because honestly what sane man would ever argue with a woman, especially Cate. Feel free to leave thoughts, comment, or even troll. And thank you to both friend and foe.

Reviews

[Vertigo Cat1111]

I've never heard the quote you used before at the very top, but I love it because of how true it is, and as you read on, it all blends and makes sense! It works beautifully together. We find comfort in our pain after a while, and then want many to just pity us. Needing help is one thing, but never trying to pull yourself out of anger only ends horribly, and just like you said, a fire. It perishes and burns you and the wisdom in your words is brilliant! Each word and line is perfectly fitting. And, I have to say, your muse sounds absolutely amazing! She sounds like a fierce fireball.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Colacat so much for the kind comment. I recently saw an incredibly moving documentary on the life and activism of the writer and poet James Baldwin. An amazing spirit who spoke with such intellectual grace. When I read this quote I was taken by its honest truth. I only wish that my voice were as strong as his to better honor the man who inspired this poem. It is easy for us to hate because it doesn't ask of us anything or require sacrifice as love does. Only fear fuels hatred and a sense of entitlement. But in the end it destroys everything in its wake and what is left in the aftermath of ashes simply is pain. And a profound sorrow of realization that we were better than this hatred. As well as equal in our humanity. After a long philosophical discussion with my muse on this matter, which she schooled me with her incredibly wise and graceful intellect, she is a woman after all and much smarter than I, this simple poem came to life. It is difficult to not be captured by the allurement of hate for we are human afterall. We are born with frailties we must learn to disavow and overcome in time with wisdom and love. Not just for ourselves but for those who may persecute us for being different. I never want to be in those ashes because they represent a failure of living up to our better angels.

[Vertigo Cat1111]

What a great thing to have learned- documentaries always move me and I'm incredibly inspired by how deeply this seemed to make you think! It was my pleasure reading. (:

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Wow what a strong poem
Loved it albeit though I still needing to look three longish words all ending in ‘ion’ up on google lol that’s me ignorant ha ha
I also read your authors note mistook the word muse for nurse as it was early and hadn’t had my coffee yet lol then checked at what Cate said to you how cute
A very strong poem forged in fire well done 👍

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Julie for your kind words I appreciate it. My beautiful muse often dictates what I will be writing and when. Who am I to argue? Women are always right and anyone who says differently has to be a man who doesn't know better haha. Thank you again and Cate says hello.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Hi you must be a close friend of Cate lol
Yes never argue with a woman before she cooks your dinner or you may go hungry 😋

[Laz K.]

we find commonality in our bigoted destruction

This reminds me of what CG Jung said about "differentiation." To feel like we really exist we need to separate ourselves from our parents as part of our psychological development. Collectively, hating others can serve that purpose, too: we exist, we are different. So, it's a rebellious child's attempt at finding an identity.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Laz for your insightful comment. Who am I to argue with Jung. He knew more about the human psyche then I ever will. What I find fascinating is that as children we are more effusive with love than we are as adults. And that changes as we grow older becoming more selfish, resentful, and hateful. The discovery of boundaries and social norms stifle the exuberance we once had as children emotionally. I remember always hugging classmates as a 5 year old and being very expressive in our fondness and friendships as children. We never saw color in each other. It was only when the teacher pointed it out that the concept slowly began to take root. And as intellect grew certain words, looks, statements began to manifest with more clarity our differences. An almost inherent nature in development. I always enjoy the comments you leave because it reflects your inquisitive and thoughtful nature, as well as keen intellect. You are a fascinating man my friend. Thank you again.

[Laz K.]

I feel the same way about your writing and comments. Thank you for always taking the time to respond. I'm honored to be called a friend!

[Shelley Warner]

I love the relationship you describe in Author's Note. It's poetic that the hot weather (which I hate too) inspired this poem about hate being a fire. My favorite line was: "Do not weep upon the bonfires of our self inflicted annihilation".

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Shelley for your thoughts on this piece. Hatred truly is a nihilistic ideology. Even the most
Peace loving soul can fall into this resentful emotion. It can easy go from the hater into the hated. Consuming bother until nothing is left but ashes. And it is in the ashes that both share commonality in color from their eventual end. This poem is a bookend to my previous submission "Grace". For what Grace asks of us in our better angels Hatred reflects its opposite appeal towards our worst sin. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this poem.

[Shelley Warner]

I like that the two poems are bookends. We can extend grace to ourselves and to others. I remember when my dog Biskit died two years ago. I mentioned to my granddaughter's HI therapist that I felt I extended his suffering because I wanted a particular vet (who was semi retired) to put him to sleep and she wasn't available until the end of the week. The therapist answered, "You can show yourself mercy."

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

thank you Shelley for sharing that moment and also the truthful profound statement that came from it. And also know I would have done the same as you.

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you for that.

[Chris Shaw]

Powerful stanzas here Carlos. Hate is a strong word. Not one that I am familiar with when it comes to my own emotions. You paint it in fiery colour here. You make it look splendid, and yet we all know how destructive it can be. I much prefer the ashes left I think, cooling, calm and more peaceful. Great work.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Chris for sharing your thoughts on this poem. There is an allurement of hatred within our media which we consume here in the States. We are being manipulated into hating each other for nefarious reasons. If we are kept divided and at each others throats we will fail to recognize the true perpetrators of our eventual destruction. Any idea of seeking equality in our society will go out the window. During this time of plague many lost income yet our politicians and the ultra wealthy more than doubled their wealth. Feed the masses hate and they will be too distracted to realize they are being robbed by the rich. Corporations own our political system here in the US. We need to reform our entire society so that it serves the will of the people, not the rich. If we fail to do so in the next 5 years we will become an oligarchy like Russia. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Chris Shaw]

It is interesting to hear from you what goes on over the pond Carlos. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Have a lovely day.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, once hate is gone...sometimes we have no reason to go on...we don't know love enough...
and sometimes it is too scary to love....less scary to feel the opposite.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

There is so much truth in your words J. It truly is a sad commentary on the empathy in our society or lack there of. We have been desensitized by the media we have consumed. It has slowly eroded our values and ethics as a nation. The horrible thing of it all it was done intentionally and with purposeful malice. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this piece.

[barleygirl]

I love that you paint hate in vibrant splashy colors, instead of bleak like most writers do. Hate is bright & attractive & irresistible . . . look at how many people it inspires & attracts. Your poem makes me feel sad that there's no way to combat this scourge. It's way more persuasive & addictive than love (((HUGS)))

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Margie for sharing your thoughts on this poem. You are absolutely correct hate is a bright burning fire which consumes everyone in its allurement. Love is more difficult because it requires a sacrifice to achieve. One must be willing to give a piece of their heart and accept the pain of disappointment in failure of love. Many choose not to give of themselves to that extent. Hate is easy because it doesn't ask of you anything at all to sacrifice. Except in the fine print, that being your own humanity. We are becoming that which we consume through social media, news, and entertainment. Being fed this hateful rhetoric daily has slowly eroded our ethics and morality. We have done this to ourselves unfortunately. With help from corporations and the ultra wealthy. It's in their best interest to keep us divided so that we don't turn on them instead. They're not satisfied with taking every dime of ours they want absolute power over everything. And we have practically given it to them. If we don't reform every aspect of our society it will eventually destroy us with all this hate from within. It is the greatest scourge of our lifetime and we are watching it play out in real time. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this piece. I always value your keen insight because you're an incredible artist in words.

[barleygirl]

Why aren't you writing this brilliance as a published article in prose instead of wasting your talent in this hidden place where your words won't be seen? Your prose is many times more powerful than your poetry. I believe you use poetry to puts some distance between yourself & the passionate messages you write in prose. Just a wild guess . . .

[Betty Hermelee]

It is so horrific to live with people who inflict their self hate on others, not only in this country but around the world……thinking that self immolation will send them to their God….in this country we have many hate groups that are pulling our democracy apart. .and I, for one, cannot see an end to this in my lifetime. What these groups do is put fear in us. I do not weep for them, even in death, they deserve whatever justice brings.
Great piece Carlos
Best
B.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Betty for your heartfelt thoughts on this piece. You are absolutely correct and it's more prevalent now because of the media being consumed. People are being fed this hateful, selfish, apathetic ideology through social media, news, and entertainment they consume. Even certain sects of religion are preaching to beware of the "other" instead of accepting others in brotherhood. This is done on purpose in order to seize power. We had a massive oil dump off the coast of California and it was in the news for one day. And for days we been hearing about Trump saying he's going to run again and fix everything. Make America great again. He fed people lies and they still believe it. He gave them hate and they ate it all up. It's in the best interest for the rich and corporations to keep us hating each other while robbing us blind and not paying taxes or people a decent living wage. Keep us busy hating each other so we don't turn on them as they steal from us. We have to learn to love each other again in order to see the value of unity and diversity as our strengths as a nation. We must prioritize education like never before because stupidity is a choice, and an ignorant mind is easy to manipulate. We must reform our political system and stop sending millionaires to serve and profiteer off our government making it serve their self interests instead of the people. And equal rights for all is essential for this to take place. We must finally add it to our constitution. There are more things needed but it's important to accomplish the important items first in order to change our society for the better and get rid of the thing which divide us and make us hate one another. We owe that to the children. Thank you again B for sharing your thoughts on this piece.

[Betty Hermelee]

Do we need more books written on the subject of hate and division and democracy in this country? who is going to learn from it??? The elite, the ones who will read them; but not the ones who NEED to read them....to get a perspective on this division...Did you read my poem "A HALO OF SERENITY"...also about racial injustice in this country...I could go on and on... just like you!
Best, B.

[♔ CrownedDevil &#..]

Powerful piece on hatred indeed. I agree with John the Baptist " As long as self hatred exists, it will projectile outwards to others" The unfortunate part about it is that hatred is apart of our nature. Regardless if we like it or not. We can only imagine a world of peace and harmony with no hatred at all.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this piece. It is true about hate being part of our nature, and probably more so in men because of our aggressive trait. Love requires sacrifice which is not easy for many because few want to give away a piece of their heart and open themselves up to hurt. Empathy was once viewed as a virtue one should strive to attain. But now selfishness and indifference are more virtuous in this age of social media. Ignorance is worn as a badge of honor. People gravitate toward greed and hatred because of the media they consume and things they consider art that preach these things. Even certain sects of religion preach sermons to beware of the "other" instead of accepting others in brotherhood. Hate may be innately within us but it is learned in order to flourish unfortunately. If you fill the mind of a society constantly with anger through the media they consume they will in turn become that which you feed them. We have to better educate and also preach equity with love. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem.

[♔ CrownedDevil ☾]

Your welcome. :)

[LostSage]

I know you well enough.....you have abuse issues and racism issues.... my muse is Jennifer Aniston..... I do whatever she says.....she told me to tell you to have a great day Carlos✨😉

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you my friend I appreciate the kind words.