I am not religious but I’m praying now

 

I am not religious but I’m praying now


I try to forget the horror of the day

and concentrate on writing  poetry

There is no horror here I tell myself

But I can’t look away

I check the news every hour

And each time it’s worse

The atrocities!

I’m overwhelmed with anxiety

Exactly where the ‘Powers’ want me to be

Paralyzed and quietly submissive

Complicit even

It’s breaking my heart to see the destruction

Of everything I’ve ever believed in

History, Art, and Humanity

(I studied all three at University)

Is it too late for Peace?

Lord help us please!







Prompt:  “write a poem in which a profession or vocation is described differently than it typically is considered to be. Perhaps your poem will feature a very relaxed brain surgeon, or a farmer that hates vegetables. Or maybe you have a poetical alter-ego of your own, who flies a non-wan, treasure-hunting flag with pride.” 

Comments

  1. shaun/tenzenmenApril 3, 2026 at 5:01 AM

    Your poem very much brought this lyric from 1980 to mind:

    I try to work and I keep thinkin' of World War III
    I try to talk to girls and I keep thinkin' of World War III
    The goddamned six o'clock news makes sure I keep thinkin' of World War III
    I got a mile of numbers and a ton of stats
    Of warheads
    A billion Chinese with warheads
    I don't even worry about crime any more
    So many goddamned scared faces
    I keep thinking of Russia, of Russia
    Paranoid, stuck on overdrive
    Paranoid, scared shitless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousApril 3, 2026 at 12:09 PM

      Some things never change I’m afraid. Thanks for your response, did you write this?

      Delete
    2. VerlieApril 3, 2026 at 12:43 PM

      Ah, it’s The Minuteman ‘Paranoid Chant’ punk rock from the 80s I see.

      Delete

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