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

[John the Baptist]

A very powerful piece here about hatred, which seems to be flourishing at this time. I think the philosophy is on the mark. Often, people hate because it allows them to refocus their self hatred. Sadly, I believe as long as self hatred exists, it will project itself outward.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you John for your thoughts that are spot on about this piece. The rise of hatred in our society is an existential threat. Far too long have we allowed it to fester and permeate within our country. And when politicians speak openly of the great replacement theory they put the lives of many in danger with their diabolical rhetoric. They are only sowing the seeds of discord and fanning the flames of hate even more with their unpatriotic behavior. All to simply seize and cling to power. This poem speaks of that reckoning and its aftermath. Only time will tell whether these words of warning were prophetic unfortunately. I hope not. Thank you again my friend.