We have written our words all
over the land, constructed cages
to contain what we can’t
control. We have put a price
on all the things that can’t
be bought or sold, raised
our voices until we are all
deaf. We have invented gods
of fear instead of harmony,
raped and discarded what could be
raped and discarded, left
bloody sorrow to fertilize
anything mistakenly overlooked.
We long ago sold our souls,
and our hollowness is so vast
no one can measure it. And still
we look for more more more–
because what can ever satisfy
the absence of what was
never there?
For Brendan’s earthweal challenge, already dead. The art is a postcard fiction from 2017, but it seemed appropriate to both the theme and my thoughts.
You have to become empty in order to begin to fill up again. Perhaps we can learn to choose more wisely this time.
Linking to dVerse OLN, hosted by Bjorn.
K. 
Wow, what a poem, Kerfe. You have really nailed it with this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Robbie, I hope we can turn things around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An epitaph for our ravenous emptiness 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly…
LikeLiked by 1 person
“We have invented gods
of fear instead of harmony”
That has never been more true…JIM
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly. Thanks Jim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
powerful words and the art fits perfectly, love both!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The essence of what has happened to our world. Epic write. Epic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanjs Helen. We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us.
LikeLike
Another excellent pairing of images and words, Kerfe! We humans have so much to answer for on a planet that doesn’t belong to us – it’s a shared place that we have annexed for ourselves – animals and plants can’t read the words we’ve written all over the land – if they could, we wouldn’t be in the state in which we now find ourselves. I feel the despair in the lines:
‘raped and discarded what could be
raped and discarded, left
bloody sorrow to fertilize
anything mistakenly overlooked.’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kim. Its hard not to get discouraged, but we must keep working for better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is deep truth in your words Kerfe:
‘ We have invented gods
of fear instead of harmony’
And now we worship them. I refuse to worship these gods anymore and will continue trying to do what good I can. It’s all any of us can do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ingrid. If we all do what we can, it can make the changes we need.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is incredibly powerful! I resonate with; “We have invented gods of fear instead of harmony.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sanaa. We could definitely use better role models.
LikeLike
This is a masterpiece! Thanks for sharing this, it works on so many levels which is one of many things I love about it. Brilliant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Humanity is on a dangerous journey… now we have the tools to destroy ourselves… maybe one day we will…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been possible for a long time, but I still hope we can wake up and do something about it.
LikeLike
LOVE IT. When I read cages, i thought of the folly of wildfires, floods, hurricanes, microscopic viruses. When we think we can control Anything, nature, bless her, has yet more lessons in store. Well written. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Bela. She has much to teach us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Important and spot on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I do hope things will change.
LikeLiked by 1 person