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A City of Love

As I watch the evening news
there’s nothing but disturbing views;
pandemic’s rage beyond control,
and crime which law cannot defuse.

Our cities burn as riots dole
their spiteful hate which robs one’s soul
of future hopes and self-esteem,
and leave us feeling less than whole.

I close my eyes and start to dream
of how I wish our lives to seem;
a city filled with hope and joy
where bright sunlight from heavens beam.

A place where life and love deploy,
and hate and fear cannot destroy
the dreams which all have in their mind;
a life that mankind can enjoy.

A city filled with love, combined 
with all the joys we hope to find
within our lives that set us free,
and leave the hordes of hate behind.

Please tell me that this reverie
is not but just a fantasy
within my mind, a thought I muse,
but something real that all can see.


October 19, 2021

Copyright © John Gondolf | Year Posted 2021

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Ellen Gwaltney Bales Date: 1/5/2023 4:36:00 AM Such a timely piece, and such a hopeful one. Enjoyed it very much, John. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 1/5/2023 5:41:00 AM Funny, I wrote this over a year ago and it seems that not much has changed since then, but I still hold hope for a brighter future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ellen, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Emilia James Date: 11/10/2021 3:10:00 AM Back with belated congratulations on your well deserved win John. Excellent writing as always. Hugs, Emilia : ) Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 11/10/2021 4:17:00 AM Thank you, Emilia. :) Hugs, John

Priya Shaw Date: 11/9/2021 11:10:00 PM Sach a marvelous writing John...I really enjoyed it. Have a great day. Priya Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 11/10/2021 2:41:00 AM Thank you for the wonderful comment, Priya, I appreciate it. I’m glad you enjoyed my daydream. John

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 11/9/2021 10:17:00 AM What a perfect rhyming poem of hope, and love for a kind disease free, hate free world - I join you in dreams for what we all pray for. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 11/10/2021 2:15:00 AM Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Jenn, I appreciate it. We must always have hope in our hearts. Hugs, John

Sara Kendrick Date: 11/9/2021 4:28:00 AM It has good flow, rhythm and rhyme. I liked the topic chosen as well. It seemed to get my attention and hold it. I can see why it is on the winners' list. Sara Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 11/9/2021 8:28:00 AM Thank you so much, Sara, I appreciate it. I’m glad you enjoyed it. John

Susan Lawrence Date: 11/4/2021 12:09:00 PM There is a painful melody to your words John coupled with your vision of hope and change. Love will prevail as it always has . The vibrations of the heart are what bring us together and what make life bearable and inspiring. Belated congratulations on your win. Hugs, Susan :) Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 11/4/2021 2:04:00 PM According to the Beatles "All You Need is Love", the world could sure use some more vibrations of the heart right now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Susan, I appreciate it. Hug, John

Michelle Faulkner Date: 11/3/2021 4:58:00 PM Very moving, John, it is so easy to despair but I like the offer of hope at the end, congratulations on your win in the contest~ Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 11/4/2021 2:31:00 AM Thank you so much, Michelle, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. John

Krish Radhakrishna Date: 11/3/2021 9:12:00 AM Congrats John! A very nice poem but your worries are so similar to what Andrea had suggested and we all feel! A true reflection of the age we live in where evil rules and truth is dying fast!! Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 11/4/2021 2:19:00 AM Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, Krish, I appreciate it. John

Andrea Dietrich Date: 11/1/2021 12:43:00 PM I was in this same mode of thinking when I wrote MY poem for this challenge as well. Beautifully emotive, John Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 11/2/2021 2:19:00 AM Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, Andrea, I appreciate it. John

Bill Baker Date: 10/31/2021 2:05:00 PM Excellent technique for Interlocking. Right on point for our country / world right now. There is hope ... eternally and even in the near future. Keep the faith and keep helping others to no we're not alone in our thinking. Thank you for sharing. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 10/31/2021 2:58:00 PM Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and comments, Bill, there is always hope and I will never stop sharing these dreams. John

Shirley Hawkins Date: 10/28/2021 5:44:00 PM Your poem expresses all that we feel. I tend to think that I am alone with my thoughts of doom and gloom. This excellent poem was cathartic for me. Dream of a better future, sometimes dreams come true. Dreaming helps ease the pain of the traumas in this very troubled world. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 10/29/2021 2:24:00 AM Thank you so much for your wonderful thoughts and comments, Shirley, I’m glad my poem helped ease your mind some. John

Gershon Wolf Date: 10/24/2021 8:04:00 PM Well, OK: I can tell you that we all can see it. And what the mind of man can conceive and perceive... I.e., there's hope as long as we continue to dream... Don't give up the ship, as they say. ~ Ours is to Wonder, and Fly! :) gw Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 10/25/2021 2:54:00 AM Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, Gershon…we must always have hope in our hearts. Keep flying my friend. John

Emilia James Date: 10/20/2021 3:32:00 AM The world certainly has got worse with so much hate and violence. I do hope mankind can find it's way back to a better place. Something has to change for sure. Hugs, Emilia : ) Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 10/20/2021 4:43:00 AM Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Emilia, it is so true, we need to find our way back. Take care. Hugs, John

Kenneth Cheney Date: 10/19/2021 2:08:00 PM From the title on through I really enjoyed this poem. Thanks for sharing it. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 10/19/2021 2:43:00 PM Thanks for the comments, Kenneth, I'm glad you enjoyed it. John

Brandy Nicole Date: 10/19/2021 11:26:00 AM You know that I'm not one to linger in the chaos, the doom and gloom of moments that caress our world. (I know reality and feel the discouraging change that has occurred) My heart breaks with all that is going on and continues to roll out of control. Maybe one day your dream will come true. Keep praying my dear friend. I am reaching for that dream too. Your thoughts caress gently around me. Hugs, Brandy Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 10/19/2021 12:25:00 PM I think the city I am dreaming of lies just beyond the clouds. Perhaps one day we will see it. Thank you for your support, Brandy, I appreciate you and your thoughts. Hugs John

Tom Cunningham Date: 10/19/2021 10:36:00 AM Mankind has certainly taken a wrong path somewhere John, I've never known it so bad, with riots and protests worldwide. You've mastered the rubaiyat form, looks a tricky one to do. Hope you're keeping well. Tom Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 10/19/2021 11:02:00 AM Thank you sharing your thoughts and comments, Tom, I appreciate it. You're right, things are as bad as I've ever seen them in my lifetime and I don't see much hope in the near future. I hope all is well with you and yours. John

Jenna Logan Date: 10/19/2021 6:59:00 AM Hi, John. Your entry is true to form and also filled with truths found in today’s societies. When did all the chaos begin? More importantly, how do we stop it? Very well penned, John. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 10/19/2021 7:14:00 AM Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jenna. I believe the chaos began 30 or 35 years ago and has gotten progressively worse with each new administration. My biggest fear is that we are beyond the point of no return; our country is more polarized than it has ever been. I fear for your generation and the generations to follow. Take care my friend. John