Kestril's Rhythms and Groove: To Heal this Broken World

To Heal this Broken World

If my words cannot hold water
let them at least not act as tinder
for those eager to stoke the flames.

If I am struck silent
at the scope of the horror,
let my eyes at least be
brave enough to not look away.

If I can remember
only one thing, let it be
that every needless death diminishes us all.

The ability to kindle compassion
is the only superpower
that can heal this broken world.

Photo by Nowshad Arefin on Unsplash

Song Choice: Won't Give Up by Pattie Gonia, featuring Yo-Yo Ma and Quin Christopherson

Liner Notes for This Groove: This poem is linked to the Friday Writings Prompt at Poets and Storytellers United.

10 comments:

Debra She Who SeeksNovember 23, 2023 at 2:42 PM
All so very, very true and beautifully said, Rommy.
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JimNovember 24, 2023 at 12:53 AM
Perfect recipe.
Thanks for hosting today.
..
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RajaniNovember 24, 2023 at 2:49 AM
The second verse strikes me especially... so important to know and inform and add one's voice (how so ever small and weak) wherever it is desperately required. And yet, so much goes on its merry way, as if nothing terrible is happening. Felt that a lot, these last 7 weeks.
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Penelope NotesNovember 24, 2023 at 4:43 AM
Eloquently written. Words matter … so often troubles inflame by those who stoke the flames.
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HelenNovember 24, 2023 at 3:04 PM
You poem is beautiful ... it needs to be read aloud wherever, whenever the occasion calls.
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AnonymousNovember 25, 2023 at 5:42 AM
Beautifully expressed !...Compassion and kindness is needed everywhere....Rall
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colleenNovember 26, 2023 at 12:57 PM
Excellent. I just love that first stanza.
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vanderloostNovember 27, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Yes. It is compassion that is much much needed in this divided world.
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Magaly GuerreroNovember 30, 2023 at 10:55 PM
I'm tattooing the second stanza on the inside of my skull. So that I can remind myself not to close my eyes, when everything tells me that it's the only way. And I'll keep the last stanza in my heart, because we all should...
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purplepeninportland.comDecember 1, 2023 at 7:55 PM
As others have said, that second stanza stays with you.
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