After a lifetime of traveling, ten years in the merchant navy, twenty in Africa, many of which I spent on the road, and in the air, and ending up (for now at least) in Australia, one of the very first poems I ever wrote turned up in a file I was about trash. I recall writing this at around the age of eighteen or nineteen whilst still at college in Liverpool. It is what it is, warts and all, and I will not change a word of it out of respect for that naive young man who now sits here an old man, and who has seen so much. As I look back in time, I quite like that foolish young boy who became me.
Wherefore in heedless turbulence of mind
The gods our fates indelibly inscribe on time's unwritten pages
Whereby to careless whims the pendant tears of tragedy distill
And we are dragged in mindless turmoil
Sightless, hapless through the ages
Whereby do woman's tears wash freely over tiny corpses
And the hungry millions live and die in pestilence and blood
Whereby forgotten by their dubious gods
Their huddled corpses left unburied lie,
Stinking, rotting in the mud
Through narrow passages of stone
Walk minds in unison, alone
Oblivious to the silent chilling screams
Of those so near
Who know the tragedy of dreams
And on and on the Earthly dirge is played
Ten billion souls in discord thus arrayed
Whilst the heavenly architect of woe
Doth ever and anon at momentary whim
The horrors of another age reveal
Play on he screams Play on!
Except that there are only seven billion souls on the earth, this is a remarkably mature and wise poem about the status of our planet. It's hard to believe that it was written by an eighteen-year-old. I recall the poems I wrote in those days and they were mostly lovesick ones for women I could never reach. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Ah, the spirit of youth sure became you well, not a word I would change not one, and I am with Ed on this one, for you reached deep into the well to search for the spirit of wisdom, of a parched and wanting soul. Bless you.
Inspirational poetry, written from the heart and soul. Verses that are well-suited for reading on a rainy day and that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
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who wish to be blind and look to themselves
only... So much tragedy in the world...
Very very powerful and I hope it reaches many
dear Keith...
Love and Light
Lily
Ron
And thanks for your comments on my piece - I, too, weep far more than I want to these very sad days at many of the things that I see.