Our World Burns
Over at dVerse Björn is musing over a poetic form I’ve been wanting to play with for a while. The form of chant, possibly the most ancient form of poetry with roots before language itself. Go read Björn’s description of chants, as well as the chants of the other participants.
On to my chant. It’s not often I write poetry incorporating my faith, perhaps that is a failing on my part. Some of my uni readings bled into this (not too surprising as it was written whilst studying). I believe we are called to be stewards of a land we were given as a gift. We’re doing a crap job of it. This chant is hopefully a call to wake up from our numbness and self imposed blindness, it is hopefully a call to something better.
Look around
Blood soaked hills
Blood soaked skies
Blood soaked seas
Not our fault
Our world burns
Head in sand
Life in hand
Life in doubt
Life in fear
Not our fault
Our world burns
Look around
We are numb
We are blind
We are deaf
Not our fault
Our world burns
Forgive our sins
Blood on hands
Blood on side
Blood on feet
This our fault
Our world burns
Help us bring
Life in hand
Life in hope
Life in joy
This our fault
Our world burns
Look around
We must feel
We must see
We must hear
This our fault
Our world burns
Our world burns
This our fault
Stand up
Stand up
Not too late
Our world burns
This our fault
There is time
If we stand
If we stand.
Hope you enjoy, please feel free to comment
The Lonely Recluse
The Lonely Recluse
The Lonely Recluse 
A sobering write. May we stand up!
May we stand up indeed. Thanks for the comment
If we take a stand, there is time to rectify our mistakes indeed. Such lovely writing here and I love how you used repetition in this way; it feels refreshing to me because it’s communicating a different thought and changing that thought throughout the piece; the epitome of change and it is hopeful. It also shows a theme of taking accountability, going from “Not our fault” to “This our fault.” A very brilliantly penned and apt piece for these times. I always enjoy your writing, especially the images you weave with your words.
I just hope folk listen to those calling for a stand before it is too late. One of the books I’m reading at the moment describes the difference between the numbing effect of the powers that be, and the need to wake up, I wanted to capture that shift in this piece. The fact that all it takes is one word to change the whole emphasis and call for accountability just highlights how little we need to do sometimes.
Thank you for the kind comment about my writing as a whole. Glad you enjoy it
We all gotta work together to extinguish the disaster.
We do indeed. Thanks for the comment
A powerful plea. If ever we needed to stand, it is now.
It’s only getting later in the day to stand if we don’t now. Thanks for the comment
A hymn to the planet. Fabulous work! I love the subtle change in the last two lines midway. An important step.
It’s amazing how much difference one word makes. It’s also amazing how much difference little actions make, we can all do our bit if we accept this is our fault. Glad you enjoyed it
❤ wonderful!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it
I echo your sentiments and hope there is still time to fix this!
I hope so
Oh.. this was really effective… I love the shift from Not our fault to taking responsibility … we all have some responsibility and if everyone took a small step I think we can shift the future.
This difference one little word, or one little action can make on the whole thing. Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it
I love this!!! As I sit here typing, my State of Oregon is battling the largest wildfire in the Country. So sad, so tragic.
I hadn’t realised that about Oregon (I live in the UK), I hope that you are managing to avoid the worst of the wild fires and are keeping safe. It’s strange how metaphors can be so literal at times, makes you wonder how the likes of politicians continue to ignore what we have done.
This is so powerful in its lament of what’s occurring nowadays! 💝 Yes, we hear you.
Lament is a form we need to rediscover so desperately, rather than letting ourselves be numbed into apathy. Thank you for your comment
A chant, a battle cry, a marching song… may we forge forward for Jesus! His plan still prospers and His victory is still sure! Love your chant :). Thank you!
May Christ give us sense to see victory in giving up – giving up our selfish ways that cause the world to burn, rather than prosper. Thanks for the comment