Gary Bateman Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

Author's Notes:  This poem, "A World on Fire," is a thought-provoking piece that I've had in the back of my mind for a while.  It is a theme that should have poignant meaning for all of as poets and writers since we individually and collectively write on many of the subjects found in my poetic effort here.  When any writer confronts issues of broad world-wide import, there is bound to be something contained therein that may tickle the fancy of each and every one of us.  Anyway, this is my take on what I see and contemplate when I look at what is going on at large in the world today.  My "Tercet" poetic write is by no means all-seeing and all-knowing, and is far from being exhaustive when one considers that there are many other problems and afflictions that also trouble our world and the people who live in it today.  From my view and vantage point, this write is for me a macro snapshot of salient and most urgent historical issues which still vex mankind and our world today.  (Gary Bateman, October 16, 2014) (Tercet unrhymed poetic format) 

Categories:  allegory, change, earth, history, international, introspection, and nature. 

A World On Fire

We live today in a world of great tumult
And of rising uncertainty and anxiety 
Which pervade the world stage like a cancer

Despite soaring technological advances
Our environment and our home Earth
Are bearing an unimaginable burden

People are wondering what must be done
To right these wrongs and adjust our course
Before we turn the corner to “No Return”

Tyranny, Poverty, Disease, and War 
Are still with us today since the beginning
Of time and are mankind’s greatest shame

God may be with us intellectually
But mankind must be self-reliant
To survive an inattentive, distant deity

People see answers to these enigmas
Sounds are made, echoes are heard
But nothing comes back in response

Frustration reigns supreme for many 
Fear and anxiety multiple all concerns
There can never be easy answers

                      *******

Tyranny still reigns alive in many countries
As the actions of tin-eared dictators abound
And are on ample display for all to see 

Poverty is still a shameful, terrible curse
Which afflicts the most unfortunate
And is paid lip service by the wealthy

Disease is a scourge still in our world
And still felt by those most in need
And never enough is done to change this

War is the ultimate insult to mankind
And its wide-felt swath and affliction
Plagues yet our modern, enlightened world 

What to make of all these challenges
Is not easy for any of us to digest
And let alone understand why

Yet understand, comprehend we must
If we want a better world for all to live in
A Sisyphean task at its very best

Man still holds the key to make change
Positive and real for our troubled Earth
But can it ever be really so in the end

Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved, 
Schoeningen, Germany (October 16, 2014) 
(Tercet unrhymed poetic format)

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Dorian Petersen Potter November 23, 2014 at 7:13 PM Hello Gary! Excellent pen my dear friend. You've said it so well this world we're living is a very chaotic, a total mess. Most people walk around like zombies no God no true love in their hearts no joy no hopes dreams compassion caring lack of honesty.All about I see mostly greed for only money materal things, sex blown over, godlessness, selfishness. Just empty vessels hardly no heart just soulless.So sad.we need to pray more to God for the all.A 7 for me!:) Love and hugs! xxx D. Gary Bateman November 24, 2014 at 11:19 AM Hello "D" I will have some more of these "Thinking Piece Contemporary Style Poems" for the future. These are not so popular like the lover poems and all of the light-hearted ditties that a lot of PS readers and fellow poets like to read, but these "Thinking Person Poems" touch on themes that all of us as poets should be concerned about. This is my serious thematic side!! Cheers XOXO, Gary

Sandip Goswami October 18, 2014 at 3:32 PM You are absolutely right Sir...I realized your pains...Best wishes from India. Gary Bateman October 18, 2014 at 5:41 PM Sandip, Thanks for your timely comment. I think I left out "Terrorism" since its center mass in the press today, but, in reality, it's a subset tyranny, poverty and war. I must check out your works too. Best Wishes, Gary

Liam Mcdaid October 17, 2014 at 5:10 PM now i love this piece gary top class piece of writing pal i must say this one really got my mind working golden pen dear friend Gary Bateman October 17, 2014 at 5:17 PM Liam, Hey Mate, thanks for checking me out on this one. This is one theme that I'm quite passionate about because it affects all of us one way or another since we live here on Earth. I appreciate your comments and insights my good friend, as always. Cheers, Gary Gary Bateman October 17, 2014 at 5:14 PM This theme had been in the back of my mind for a while Paul. The recent commotion from Russia and the perilous state of matters in the Middle East are not helpful. More of that to come. Man does hold the key indeed. Governments worldwide really need to start working together at the UN to make an effort on these problems. Much to do. We're all in this boat together. Thanks! Best! Gary

Paul Callus October 17, 2014 at 4:14 PM Excellent write on issues that keep eroding this world that we live in; unfortunately we live in a house, not a home. There are too many things that need repairing; love has lost much of its meaning and allure. There are many dark clouds on the horizon. But not all is lost....yes, man does hold the key.....// paul Gary Bateman October 17, 2014 at 5:15 PM This theme had been in the back of my mind for a while Paul. The recent commotion from Russia and the perilous state of matters in the Middle East are not helpful. More of that to come. Man does hold the key indeed. Governments worldwide really need to start working together at the UN to make an effort on these problems. Much to do. We're all in this boat together. Thanks! Best! Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter October 17, 2014 at 1:39 AM Awesome write Gary! It really hurt me a lot to know all the suffering and the abuse, injustices that in this world of ours take place and incurs all the time somewhere every second of the day and night. A 7 from me my dear caring friend Gary.:) So much in your poem makes me ponder more. Take care! Love & light! xxxx D. Gary Bateman October 17, 2014 at 5:21 PM D, Thanks for the visit and your most wonderful comments and observations. This theme had been bothering me for a long time. I will probably do some follow-up stuff on it in the future. The world community needs to really start coming together in a better way, if we are ever going to have the chance to improve things. All the Best "D." Gary

Robert Lindley October 16, 2014 at 10:16 PM Great write and you delivered on your promise in the comment on my poem. A definite 7 from me and the message rings so very true. The world now is a dark and very dangerous place! War and disease are prevalent and man has not the answer.. Awesome write my good friend!!! Gary Bateman October 17, 2014 at 5:29 PM Robert my good friend, thanks for your review and comments here. Yes, the 21st Century is turning out to be one with certain levels of commotion that many of our politicians did not foresee. Our leaders need to be bold, courageous, and start showing some real moxy to get things done in coordination with the UN. So many problems and concerns to delve into. Best Wishes, Gary

Brenda Meier-Hans October 16, 2014 at 8:19 PM It pains me to know how many people suffer every day. I hope we can find that key very soon. Thanks for helping make us more aware Gary. Gary Bateman October 17, 2014 at 5:07 PM Amen Brenda!! My same thoughts entirely. With this new readjustment in the world order with Russia acting up and all of the convulsions in the Middle East who know?? There are so many problems that need to be addressed at the UN-level and so little real cooperation in the end. We can only hope for the best. Best!! Gary

Charmaine Chircop October 16, 2014 at 5:20 PM I do hope We can make a change in this dark world you has described.Many times I ask myself where all this is leading,and thinking how beautiful it would be if there was a bit more of conscience in us humankind.An amazing poem Gary with much to ponder. Gary Bateman October 16, 2014 at 5:48 PM Charmaine, Thanks for your read and wonderful comments. I agree with you. We can only all hope for the most positive changes in the world. As I've mentioned to some other poets, we poets, through our writings can help be a Conscience to the World. The emotive power of words are important. We can help make a difference!! It helps to be active and to speak out!! Gary

Maurice Yvonne October 16, 2014 at 5:05 PM Wow, Gary. It is a well known fact that you are a very learned writer with a spectacular vocabulary. What is amazing is that you can write dark or humorous or historical or romantic or fiction or a socially conscious poem like this one. I love this write my friend. It's excellent. Gary Bateman October 16, 2014 at 5:18 PM Maurice, Thank you so much for your kind and gracious words here. I also feel very deeply about the extraordinary quality and absolute passion of your poetry. You are too so very versatile with every theme you approach and master to the highest degree possible!! All The Best, Gary