the philosopher’s playground
the ground trembled beneath bare feet
like an audible sigh from a troubled mind
even the birds paused their morning song
shifting to interpret the mother’s warning
exhausted yet incapable of finding comfort
relaxation eludes the weariest travelers
though peace on earth may one day prevail
the natural order of things indicate otherwise
february two thousand seventeen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
I have taken the liberty of adding the final couplet to my list of quotes about war, with attribution, of course.
thank you, sir, I am honored
I can’t put my finger on it, but somehow the rhythm breaks in the last half of the last line, adding a nice punch. Overall, the mood reminds me Yeats’s “The Second Coming.” Thanks for a little thoughtful pleasure before work 🙂
Yes, a subtle distraction I would have to agree. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and the comparison, I am most grateful.
you convey unsettled feelings with aplomb.
thank you, Denise
Yes I wonder too what the natural state is…
as well as the unnatural….
Beautiful yet sobering.
Thank you, Christy.