Celestine Ikwuamaesi Poet Free verse

A Tear For Syria

The nation sprawls, prostrate:
broken limbs, crumbling bodies;
valley of vultures,
cloud of flies,
    frisking scavengers.

Victory throws a party for ghosts;
a once boisterous land—
now a silhouette of what was:
a land of the dancing dead.

The victor towers over rubbles,
wearing rueful impish glee.
He stands, stern, gaunt as death,
tightlipped; grim irony on a face

pondering the weight of victory
as soot settles after an inferno,
soothing the pain of death
paling the pants for life.

Civilization without humanity;
blood turns muddy,
red puddle, and bricks—
homes for ghosts
      in a land once of the living.


© 2017 Celestine Ikwuamaesi

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 9:09 AM Sadly tragic and truthfully surreal. From a world away not being there to personally feel the full weight of this. We don't wrestle with things like this as much as we should... or the cost of war. We don't put enough time into counting the cost against humanity. Thank you for sharing this Celestine. It paints the picture we all fail to see. Celestine Ikwuamaesi May 13, 2017 at 5:38 PM Thanks, Jesse. Maybe the world would soon see. Celestine

Kim Merryman March 19, 2017 at 1:11 PM Powerful, tragic images you have used, Celestine. A well written poem of a horrible plight. Blessings, Kim Celestine Ikwuamaesi May 13, 2017 at 5:45 PM Thanks, Kim, for your comment.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart March 19, 2017 at 9:21 AM Wow Celestine, exquisite write; the language delivers thick penetrating emotion and imagery. A humble offering of 7 and blessings xomo Celestine Ikwuamaesi May 13, 2017 at 5:44 PM Truth should stir the conscience however seared. Thanks, Maureen.