World in Upheaval

 

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World in Upheaval

Whole nations tremble like tulips in storm winds,
their borders redrawn by those who seek power
The elegant structures we built lie fractured
by  the evil ones who sleep comfortably in beds of red.

Ivy-covered universities crumble like bricks,
traditions once sacred now questioned, forbidden.
The glittering promise of democracy flickers—
a candle flame that is growing dimmer each day.

We all stand witness to history's cruel turning,
watch as maps are redrawn with different names.
The world aches for its former stability, sanity, 
but each new day arrives with uncertain light.

Written for Shay's Word List - Sharon Olds

Waking to Peace

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Waking to Peace

In my dream the world exhaled,
breathing a collective sigh of relief
as weapons fell silent in Gaza and Ukraine.
Earth celebrated the absence of explosions.

Children played in streets once emptied by fear,
their laughter a new anthem of joy,
their hands linked across the differences
that adults had once made mountains of.

At borders, closed gates swung open
as the United States remembered its promise,
still carried in people's hearts: "Give me your tired,
your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

The fears of tomorrow lifted from shoulders
like a heavy coat removed after winter.
People walked taller, looked longer at sunsets,
smiled, remembered how to breathe deeply again.

Democracy stood renewed,
not as a fortress under siege
but as a garden tended by many hands,
roots deepening, strengthening with each season.

I woke with tears on my pillow,
not knowing if they were joy or grief,
the dream so vivid I could taste it—
that world we keep reaching for, reaching.....

Written for my prompt "Waking to Peace" at What's Going On?

Poetry Is...

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Poetry Is....

Poetry is finally coming up with
an idea after struggling to 
find one forever.

Poetry is putting your thoughts
into socially accepted words
but still being honest.

Poetry is finding a way to write
about a subject you have
nothing to say about.

Poetry is letting words flow first
and then discovering what
meaning emerges later.

Poetry is reaching for depth
when you don't know
what you want to say.

Poetry is finding fresh perspective
on a subject you've turned over
in countless poems before.

Written for Sherry's prompt at "What's Going On?" -- Poetry Is.......

 

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Seeds of Tomorrow

Deep in the soil, seeds nestle unseen,
Draw strength from earth's bounty.
They patiently wait for spring's touch
Converting light to life, water to wonder.
What begins as a speck, fragile and small,
Reaches toward the sky with determination,
Fulfilling the promise inside its core.

So too, the hope we carry inside ourselves —
A seed planted in the garden of our hearts.
It needs the nourishment of kindness,
The sunlight of small victories (we pray) ,
The steady rain of persistence (let it be so).
When tended with care and faith (we try to have),
It grows into the tomorrow we hope to imagine.

Written for Susan's prompt "Seed" at What's Going On?

In April

 

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April

April is one of those months
that can go either way
sort of like life these days
but we always hope for
new life
rebirth of hope
a new dream
as we welcome green grass
we pray that the worst
is behind us for a time
and we can once again
dance in spring rain.

For Sumana's prompr at What's Going On? -- "In April"