Home » Poems » Jesse Zerlaut » Light Bulbs

Light Bulbs

We talk in a world where no one will hear. Made so deaf by what we all feel and fear. We're dark smoking, popped bulbs at night. Burned out, shattered, spreading no light. Now wars are waged in once peaceful streets. and law enforcers afraid to walk their old beats. No side is good, no side is bad, we're to blame. One people, the same blood, stoking this flame. Media coverage ignites, Social pandemics arise. we're war-torn and broken, our moral demise. Words that are typed, and the memes we see. The modern age communication, troll mentality. If I could rewrite the universe, remove the pain. Make this a place we can breathe once again. A place where our children can live in peace. Where each man is met at his simplest needs. If one light could cause the darkness to hide. What of thousands? letting go of their pride. I'd see the light bulbs shine, as we rise above. Bred in merciful hearts of unconditional love. If I could change the world, this would be true. With peace and prosperity for me and for you. It's not socialism, communism, I hope you see. It's compassion and restoration of our humanity. (wrote for "If I could change the world" Challenge hosted by: Becca Teagan)

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Beata Agustin

Date: 7/29/2023 4:33:00 AM

Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 8/18/2023 7:51:00 PM

Beata, we believe in the same God, the same son. But I struggle with the word Christian these days. Because many who call themselves such tend to hear the messenger but ignore the message "love your neighbor as yourself".. and it pains me.

Joe Maverick

Date: 7/28/2023 12:50:00 AM

I like this one Jesse, good empathy Well created, best wishes for the Contest.'

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 8/18/2023 7:46:00 PM

Joe, empathy is a huge part of who I am. I'm glad my poem brought that to light.

J Hamilton Gist

Date: 4/18/2017 8:44:00 PM

If it were all so simple...

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 4/27/2017 1:40:00 AM

There's little hope in even one person being enough to cause a world to be more pleasant. For each person that makes the effort, a hard-fought effort at that... there are ten who do more harm than good.

John Bertin

Date: 3/27/2017 3:33:00 PM

Very good. Wish I'd written this.

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 9:32:00 AM

I don't think there's a greater praise a poet can hear that someone suggesting they wished they had thought up the words themselves. That's touching, thank you for putting a smile on my face. :)

Ralph Sergi

Date: 3/27/2017 1:36:00 PM

Hi Jesse: I enjoyed your poems, especially Light Bulbs. It certainly depicts todays trend in the world and I love your style of poetry.!

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 9:28:00 AM

Thank you very much for your kind words, Ralph.. and I couldn't even tell you what my style is, or if I had a style. I'm so rusty at poetry I never honestly know what to put my poems under for poetry type.

Charlie Albert Vazquez

Date: 3/26/2017 9:54:00 PM

Jesse.You let your feelings flow freely.Your poem express everything that is inside you. interesting

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 9:20:00 AM

I wear my heart on my sleeve sometimes. Thank you for reading, Charlie.

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 3/26/2017 6:40:00 PM

So well written and so profound....your last line :it's compassion and restoration of our humanity", that really hits the mark! Kudos!

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 9:17:00 AM

Thank you, Paulette. I can't see things in the news where police officers are delivering food to the needy, or someone helping a refuge in one place in the world or another, without getting teary eyed. That says a lot, it says there's not enough of that going around. We become numb to things like violence as a nation, and deeply moved by good will and deeds that should happen so often that it feels normal and regular.

Philip Royle

Date: 3/26/2017 2:56:00 PM

You got this one so right. Nice one Jesse. Great peace of writing. Phil Royle

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 9:10:00 AM

Thank you Phil, I'm glad you took the time out of your day to read it. That you can identify with it too.

Celestine Ikwuamaesi

Date: 3/26/2017 2:32:00 PM

Awesome, isn't it? Thanks Jesse for echoing my heart.

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 9:05:00 AM

What's awesome, is not feeling like the only one who feels that way. I think the voices of people bitter, resentful and even hateful speak so much louder than those who care about everyone. There's beauty in knowing the world isn't as a whole, changing to be colder. thank you for reading.

Nicholas Windle

Date: 3/26/2017 12:43:00 PM

just love this subject close to my own heart. congrats on a well put together piece of work and well metred bless you

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:57:00 AM

Thank you, Nicholas. I'm glad it caught your attention. I think a lot of people feel this way and yet we're all sort of isolated from one another.

Glen Schwartz

Date: 3/26/2017 10:25:00 AM

I love this, Beautiful write .. I do hold onto the hope that we can change the world . One heart at a time.. Working toward the goal myself..

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:52:00 AM

And that's what it takes. People working to show others what kindness, patience, tolerance, acceptance and compassion look like. glad you liked the poem :)

Madeleine Loggia

Date: 3/26/2017 10:09:00 AM

Really enjoyed this poem. Wonderfully written.

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 3/28/2017 8:51:00 AM

Glad you enjoyed it! thanks for coming to read.

Nilima Deb

Date: 11/7/2016 2:37:00 AM

awesome write ...enjoyed the myth

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 11/7/2016 3:17:00 PM

Thank you for taking the time to read it. Some myths are worth dreaming for.

Becca Teagan

Date: 7/31/2016 9:54:00 PM

This is one of my favorite poems, Jesse. I love the take, with the theme of the lightbulb... very creative!!! Compassion and restoration of our humanity. THIS is really the poem I was looking for, but, everyone got a first place win, as this was more of a challenge than a contest... thank you for your participation!

Becca Teagan
Date: 10/27/2016 10:12:00 PM

Contests, for me, are more like challenges. There is ONE judge, with ONE opinion... that is all. It's fun. Let the contests inspire you... but if you don't place, don't be discouraged, it only one person's opinion! Keep writing Jesse, you have a gift.

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 8/1/2016 1:36:00 PM

Thank you, I really wasn't sure if that was the sort of poem we were suppose to write, or if I was missing anything. I am new to the challenges and contests here.

Wendy Rycroft

Date: 7/31/2016 11:11:00 AM

Congrats on your 1st xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 8/1/2016 1:34:00 PM

thank you, Wendy!

Alexis Y.

Date: 7/31/2016 9:21:00 AM

Hi Jesse, Congratulations on your 1st place win. It was well deserved- 7:-) Alexis

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 8/1/2016 1:33:00 PM

thank you, Alexis!

Sara Kendrick

Date: 7/22/2016 9:14:00 AM

I really like the last line..Someday the earth will see the restoration of those qualities but we just don't when..I enjoyed reading your work..Thanks for stopping by..I appreciate the time spent in prayer for me..Sara..Soup mail soon..

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 7/22/2016 9:46:00 AM

honestly didn't even know about soup mail till you mentioned it right now. I'll figure out how to set that up, or is that only a premium perk?

Sara Kendrick
Date: 7/22/2016 9:15:00 AM

I see that you don't have soup mail..Okay..SK

Madhupriya Shanmugam

Date: 7/22/2016 2:34:00 AM

Nice poem Jesse;)

Jesse Zerlaut
Date: 7/22/2016 3:06:00 AM

Thank you Madhupriya!