Smoke signals

Raising dust smoke we are

spreading our ashes near and far

swirling carbon in still air

caught by a breeze taken to a place more fair

We're nothing more than burning coals

our essence heavenward rolls

far from the fire that burns

released liberty gravity spurns

Covering both face and hands

black messages in dark bands and sooty strands

charcoal word clouds carried to other lands

smoke poems no one understands

Reviews

[Marie]

This finely penned poem speaks of pollution of the atmosphere to me. It reminds me of the turf/coal fires in Ireland where the smoke reaches almost to the sky, leaving a sooty carbon imprint in the air and which is carried by the breeze to other lands which are clean and where nobody understands the consequences of this action. It's time to wake up and smell the coffee while we still have time to drink it. Under the new legislation in the Republic of Ireland there is no restriction on people who own their own bog to use turf in their domestic fire or people who share turf with their neighbours, outside of that turf is banned. The ban also covers the sale of smoky coal and wet wood. Hope it's not too late... A very thought provoking, insightful poem, which is so enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing, Soren...

[Soren]

Whether pollution, ourown demise, or that of our writing and poems it all applies and thank you so much for the read and interpretation it is an older poem of mine and thank you for unearthing it.

[Marie]

Most welcome, always, dear poet...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

our ashes one day will be pages of us.
j.

[Soren]

In deed they will Jacob. Thanks for the read and comment it is most appreciated

[emmajoygreen]

Words laid finely and oh so true,

'Covering both face and hands
black messages in dark bands and sooty strands
charcoal word clouds carried to other lands
smoke poems no one understands

A warning in true meter and considerable sadness, Soren.

[Soren]

Thank you so much Emmajoy your words mean a great deal. It is amazing to me how many interpretations come out of any poem.