The Challenges of life which I seldom call "The Battle Within" shall come to an end only when we vanish, until then it will rage on and reign high.

Jude, your description of the bloody tyranny of life and all of its infestations speak volumes. "It never stops, nor does it want to . . ." "It never stops, nor does it hope to . . ." and, "It never stops, nor will it ever . . ." Masterfully enveloped! Soberly and methodically implosive! Oh how you put a face on man's inhumaity! Probing prose my friend!

Since the first two families fought over a favorite water hole, war seems to be a sanctioned--even hallowed--part of human existence. Jesus, Gandhi, and MLK have shown us the way, but an eye for an eye rules for a piece of the so-called holy (?) land.

The peacekeeper, USA, gets a B for the $1.2B B2 that blindly gets more blood with bombs.

Shame on us, as your poem vividly exposes.

Ron

there is great talent displayed inyour poem -- the message profound and bleak -- jump into the opem arms of joy, and settle snugly into their peace and love -- JMW

Phew...this left me breathless..profound.. sure makes one think..sad soo soo sad! (outstanding Jude..a masterpiece!)

... very strong messages vibrating from your images here, Jude. A bit of a dream-tangent, but it's one of your strongest and perhaps Roberta would love it! :))

Far from engendering a sense of global village community, commercial material globalisation has rendered us corporate disempowered spectres, floating in seas of alienation and confusion, embittered by resentment and foul-play. The world can only change person by person, one body at a time, yet the will to do this relies on each one feeling empowered by their own sense of well-being, knowing nurture and love. Hence this Dead-Sea morass. Perhaps time to adopt Mother Teresa's maxim: when scorn was poured upon her work with the poor as being "a drop in the ocean", she famously responded "Ah! But the ocean is made up of many drops!" And yes, she made a change... en masse, things could be different. And if we don't believe so, things will NEVER change...

... and will it ever stop? Kate's endless homilies, I mean? :)) Guess the odds are even on that one! Since I have no choice but to travel on, I would rather travel hopefully... Go placidly, Kartero.

Kastaway Kate xx

The moral fibres of hearts and souls are tortured and twisted when trying to float through this life...this write is strong and seems to speak of the dissappointments in a world that is so full of them.

fee

A powerful maelstrom of self-perpetuating social and spiritual chaos. Sadly it seems to be what most of us are raised on and therefore, just as the poet writes, "it never stops, nor does it hope to-"

Thanks tremendously for the great read,

Aberjhani

Powerful message from your talented pen, Jude...

Carole~

Outstanding and profound Jude
Hope to enjoy another great year
of reaing your fantastic poetry
Peace be with you
Happy New Year

William

With "...neglecting the contour of the heart.." you are saying almost all is there to say, although "...payback mentality..." can and will take the focusing eyes from the goal and make them "...unable to see..."

Georg

Thank you Jude for sharing an excellent write.

Newfie Hugs, Rose

An excellent and well written poem,take care

Edwin

Wonderful message and well written.

One of my favorites from you, thus far, Jude. Excellent:)
Sheila

An excellent lament of the inevitability of some to recognize change
and therefore stay mired in their own rut...

sometimes there no words, only prayers

Moralistic observation that has haunted mankind since the beginning of time...

Be always safe,
Karen

Life is most likely more of an illusion or vibration than a hard reality, at best, and certainly what we make of it, at the very least. I have difficulty wrapping my brain around why people often choose to make themselves and anyone within their realm, miserable. I have to ask myself why anyone takes life so seriously, when in reality, nobody gets out of here alive. I think it is time for a global attitude adjustment!! Excellent message here, Jude. ;)
Take care,
Sherry

It's often been said, and I will say it, here: Those that forget history are condemned to repeat it. Through the ages of mankind, the horrors continue. Will we ever get it right? I pray so: effectively penned sadness, Jude, well done.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

The horrors of war written with a master poet's pen. Bravo Jude!