imagine
these neighborhoods
reside in underworld riddles
subjected to laws
systematically enforced
by remote controls
stepping on stones
children experience daring truths
along boundary lines
carving their world from another
looking from afar
latest weapons
brutally scratch hard surfaces
buckling the pavement
like tectonic plates exploding
and consuming homes
lord have mercy
mothers lament repeatedly
sprawled on city streets
grown children riddled with bullets
limp in barren arms
lifeless bodies
encircle living among dead
pleading up on high
beating breasts and shouting for world
to imagine peace
july two thousand fourteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
That was a heck of an atmosphere you created, J.
“like tectonic plates exploding
and consuming homes
lord have mercy”
Great pacing in the above. War is definitely like a tectonic shift.
thanks so much for visiting and commenting on this piece, Millie – spent a couple of nights with idea and form – very much saddened by what’s going on in the world these days….
No kidding, which is why we need poetry to keep our moral compasses in check. I’d say idea and form are top-notch.
such brutality – its hard to comprehend – poets may be the only voices that can be heard – well done, John
Thank you for commenting on this piece, Kathleen. I can only imagine what other extraordinary feats we can accomplish if able to rechannel scarce resources used to hurt one another.
“lifeless bodies
encircle living among dead
pleading up on high
beating breasts and shouting for world
to imagine peace”
Such a powerful piece…it is indeed time for Peace.
Did you see my recent post about a new collaborative blog Artists 4 Peace?
Come take a look artists4peace.wordpress.com the new home page gives a rundown of submission guidlines, topics, etc.
I would love it if you would join us.
☮ Melanie
Melanie: yes, I have read some of the posts at the website and in fact the very idea may have inspired me to write this poem. I will try to take some time soon and revisit and consider submitting. Thanks so much, my friend, for commenting on this piece.