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)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Agustin Avatar
July 29, 2023 at 4:33 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.
Zerlaut Avatar
August 18, 2023 at 7:51 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.
Maverick Avatar
July 28, 2023 at 12:50 AM
I like this one Jesse, good empathy Well created, best wishes for the Contest.'
Zerlaut Avatar
August 18, 2023 at 7:46 PM
Joe, empathy is a huge part of who I am. I'm glad my poem brought that to light.
Gist Avatar
April 18, 2017 at 8:44 PM
If it were all so simple...
Zerlaut Avatar
April 27, 2017 at 1:40 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.
Bertin Avatar
March 27, 2017 at 3:33 PM
Very good. Wish I'd written this.
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 9:32 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. :)
Sergi Avatar
March 27, 2017 at 1:36 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.!
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 9:28 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.
Vazquez Avatar
March 26, 2017 at 9:54 PM
Jesse.You let your feelings flow freely.Your poem express everything that is inside you.  interesting
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 9:20 AM
I wear my heart on my sleeve sometimes. Thank you for reading, Charlie.
Calasibetta Avatar
March 26, 2017 at 6:40 PM
So well written and so profound....your last line :it's compassion and restoration of our humanity", that really hits the mark! Kudos!
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 9:17 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.
Royle Avatar
March 26, 2017 at 2:56 PM
You got this one so right. Nice one Jesse. Great peace of writing. Phil Royle
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 9:10 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.
Ikwuamaesi Avatar
March 26, 2017 at 2:32 PM
Awesome, isn't it? Thanks Jesse for echoing my heart.
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 9:05 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.
Windle Avatar
March 26, 2017 at 12:43 PM
just love this subject close to my own heart. congrats on a well put together piece of work and well metred bless you
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 8:57 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.
Schwartz Avatar
March 26, 2017 at 10:25 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..
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 8:52 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 :)
Loggia Avatar
March 26, 2017 at 10:09 AM
Really enjoyed this poem. Wonderfully written.
Zerlaut Avatar
March 28, 2017 at 8:51 AM
Glad you enjoyed it! thanks for coming to read.
Deb Avatar
November 7, 2016 at 2:37 AM
awesome write ...enjoyed the myth
Zerlaut Avatar
November 7, 2016 at 3:17 PM
Thank you for taking the time to read it. Some myths are worth dreaming for.
Teagan Avatar
July 31, 2016 at 9:54 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!
Teagan Avatar
October 27, 2016 at 10:12 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.
Zerlaut Avatar
August 1, 2016 at 1:36 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.
Rycroft Avatar
July 31, 2016 at 11:11 AM
Congrats on your 1st xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Zerlaut Avatar
August 1, 2016 at 1:34 PM
thank you, Wendy!
Y. Avatar
July 31, 2016 at 9:21 AM
Hi Jesse, Congratulations on your 1st place win. It was well deserved- 7:-) Alexis
Zerlaut Avatar
August 1, 2016 at 1:33 PM
thank you, Alexis!
Kendrick Avatar
July 22, 2016 at 9:14 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..
Zerlaut Avatar
July 22, 2016 at 9:46 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?
Kendrick Avatar
July 22, 2016 at 9:15 AM
I see that you don't have soup mail..Okay..SK
Shanmugam Avatar
July 22, 2016 at 2:34 AM
Nice poem Jesse;)
Zerlaut Avatar
July 22, 2016 at 3:06 AM
Thank you Madhupriya!
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