Stephen Pennell Poet Villanelle

On the fence ignorance

You stand and mock me from afar today,
Ignoring truth disguised behind your fear,
Not knowing who you mock or why you stray.

Cold walls of ignorance grow in the way,
Dividing those who should be drawing near.
You stand and mock me from afar today.

A fragile mind that doubts will often sway,
Distrust prevails, obscured by shadowed sneer.
Not knowing who you mock or why you stray.

But brighter dawns can break the cold array,
When hands reach out with love, not hate, sincere.
You stand and mock me from afar today.

Can we not choose to walk a kinder way,
Where acceptance builds the bonds we hold dear?
Not knowing who you mock or why you stray.

If hearts unlock and move past old dismay,
We’ll find a truth beyond our spite and fear.
You stand and mock me from afar today,
Not knowing who you mock or why you stray.

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Beata Agustin November 5, 2025 at 7:43 PM 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.

Rev. Gerald Dillenbeck August 28, 2025 at 2:04 AM Hi Steve, Way back in 2016 you commented that you are an atheist practicing helpful Buddhist meditation. I wish I had responded sooner, that it sounds like you are not a monotheist, but probably not also an atheist--maybe a pantheist, and/or polytheist, and/or panentheist. Stephen Pennell February 22, 2026 at 3:29 AM More life experience and money led, and the need to find meditation classes however after taking the 1st few classes I warmed to the Buddhist philosophy however not as a religion but a way to live. the format of the classes was a teaching then a meditation then a teaching then a meditation and ending in a discussion which I always enjoyed I was lucky to have teacher who did not mind questions. sorry about the long delay for the reply rarely come on to the site. poetry writing unsettles my peace a high price for a silent mind but worth it for me.