Poets respond. They are frequently prompted by events occurring in the world around them. Local and global matters compel a poet to respond.
Therefore, I find myself needing to write about the conflict once more taking place in the Middle East. I write from the perspective of innocent lives lost on both sides of this hideous, rolling conflict.
Poets have long written in the political sphere. This poem has been swirling around in my head all week. I must respond to this internal tension. These became words I felt compelled to write.
My poem is a triversen poem.
The Continuing Conflict
For
the duration of my life
this
narrow strip of disputed land
has
been a conflict zone.
Daily
atrocities pour forth from news reports,
where
innocent people fall victim
and
terror is written on children’s faces.
Wailing
sirens duly announce
the
firestorm of destruction
and
the sky rains death.
Any
thought of a two state solution
has been
trampled by madmen
and exists
only in long lost dreams.
Between
the zealots and extremists
stand
the people who just wish
to
live their lives in peace.
No one
emerges victorious;
there
are only the dead and injured
and
those who remain to mourn the lost ones.
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday and our host this time is Bridget Magee. Bridget's post is a conscious response to all the current conflict in the world as she celebrates the importance of being happy.
Your poem voices humanities' collective "internal tension" perfectly, Alan. Your lines:
ReplyDelete"Between the zealots and extremists
stand the people who just wish
to live their lives in peace." is everything.
So few seem to have so much power (life and death!) over so many. I wish I knew how to alleviate the suffering. Thank you for your poem.
Thank you Bridget. These constantly warring parties seem to engaging in the dialogue of the deaf. We often feel impotent in these situations, but it is important to act morally within your sphere of influence and spread compassion and humanity and hope it spreads out.
DeleteI'll never understand why people cannot allow others to live their own lives, living their own beliefs. My father died in WWII, and I grew up with family members fighting against those who wish for power. Thank you for voicing the sympathy for children especially, Alan.
ReplyDeleteThe children's faces are so expressive in this conflicted zone, Linda. Hard not to feel moved by their plight. They deserve so much better from the adults surrounding them. Power is very much a double edged sword. It too often corrupts, unfortunately.
DeleteAlan, a very fitting, accurate distillation of so many decades of loss and suffering.
ReplyDeleteIt's mind-numbing, the way we continue to kill each other. Thanks for this poem, Alan. I have images and voices roiling in my head, but no poetry...
ReplyDeleteI understand clearly, Laura. I think your reaction is a common response. Many people I have spoken to are stunned and at the same time appalled. The situation highlights the total absence of sanity. Initially, I was like you and no poetry was forthcoming and then the fog cleared and the words began to form. We must each respond in our own way, in our own time.
DeleteThank you for voicing this so beautifully, Alan. Poets respond indeed.
DeleteThanks, Sally. I appreciate your feedback.
DeleteThank you for using the power of poetry to speak your mind. The third stanza resonates with me. I am constantly aware of the privilege of peace -- carrying on with my life, no terror raining from the sky, no need to pack a lifetime into two suitcases and leave everything else behind, my neighborhood intact rather than leveled into rubble. And there is no end in sight. I fear for our world.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary Lee. Your concern for the future is shared. So many globally concerning trends. Like you, I am acutely aware of living in a part of the world that exxperiences- 'the privilege of peace.'
DeleteRespond. It's our only option. I refuse to get dragged into conversations about the politics of this conflict. I can only grieve the lost innocence of what a normal day should be -- for the children, the workers, the artists, the students... I cannot fathom the fear that humans must learn to live with. Thank you for putting words to so many of our feelings.
ReplyDeleteI find myself fully concurring with your sentiments. Hate is such a destructive emotion. It corrodes and delivers nothing worthwhile. You're right- we must continue to respond. If we don't, oppressors are emboldened.
DeleteAlan, the tone of this poem is just right. It's heartbreaking to watch from far away as I live in safety. I don't understand war and what killing anyone ever accomplishes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback. War is an anathema. Hate is all consuming. The scenes we are witnessing from this troubled region are, as you say, heartbreaking.
DeleteAlan, I just came from Church where the congregation prayed for worldwide peace. Your poem is a significant one that offers such truth. No one comes out victorious. Why hate? Why war? Thank you for your powerful soulful words.-Carol Varsalona
DeleteAlan, Your poem gets right to the history and heart of this conflict. My husband and I were just mourning this morning over the long history of conflict in the Middle East - all of our lives - as you said. We are all humans, why can't we let each other live in peace. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt words. I know how it is to be compelled to write thoughts down. ~ Carol at The Apples in My Orchard ~
ReplyDeleteI see my comment did make to your site. I was driving from Church with my family when I read your poem. Here is what I wrote under an anonymous heading: The congregation prayed for worldwide peace this morning in Church. Your poem is a significant one that offers such truths and intense emotions->No one comes out victorious. Why hate? Why war? Thank you for your powerful soulful words.
ReplyDelete