Bali

By Barbara Nelson

21st Century


Our poets wrote in early settler days
Of floods and drought, nature's
capricious ways
All "Acts of God" for which no blame
was cast
As to their dreams our pioneers held
fast.

What would those poets write in these
dark hours
When terrorism strikes and cuts down
flowers
Of vibrant youth, each life a treasured
part
Whose death takes with it fragments of
a heart?

How to describe the wantoness, disdain
For lives whose passing causes such
great pain
The depths of grief, the great
unanswered "Why?"
A nation mourns, and heaven hears our
cry.

From grief to anger, hatred waits its
turn
As for revenge each aching heart must
yearn
Eye for an eye, we ask, that's nature's
way
But gives no peace when comes the end
of day.

Far better be ambassadors for peace
That all such evil, all the wars may
cease.
Seek justice then, and build a better
world
That all the good in man may be
unfurled.

Hold fast your faith, to higher
thoughts be true
Though grief may threaten to envelop you
What good is served to echo murderers'
sins?
When we give in to hatred, evil wins.

DayPoems Poem No. 2319
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/2319.html">Bali by Barbara Nelson</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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