Laura Leiser Poet Free verse

The Gristmill

A frigid landscape casts a bitter pall
over a barren nation of weary souls
imprisoned and laden under a regime
of hammer and sickle, numb and cold.

Regimented are the eyes of oppression  
unblinking, endlessly watching
scrutinizing, searching, ever searching
grinding down the will, receding hope.

The slow wheel of the gristmill turns
burden of stone, its authority crushes
the spirit. Who can break this 
massive millstone, treading over 
the tormented masses?

A desperate angst arises to rid the 
wretched bile that contaminates the land
strike down the carnivorous bear
and with sheer will and determination
break the terrible gristmill of tyranny.



Written on 5/22/2018

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Elaine George June 22, 2018 at 9:09 AM Powerful insight and much to ponder in this well written rendering. Many congrats on your win. Elaine Laura Leiser June 22, 2018 at 11:35 AM Thank you for commenting, Elaine. I really appreciate it!

Susan Gentry June 22, 2018 at 6:49 AM Congratulations on your win! Laura Leiser June 22, 2018 at 11:35 AM Thank you, Susan!

Joseph May June 19, 2018 at 6:46 AM Powerful write Laura, Well written. Congrats on your win.. Laura Leiser June 20, 2018 at 11:56 AM Thank you, Joseph! So glad you liked my take on the theme :)

Tom Cunningham June 18, 2018 at 9:31 PM Congratulations Laura. Tom. Laura Leiser June 20, 2018 at 11:56 AM Thank you, Tom! You are very kind and encouraging :)

CayCay Godwin June 5, 2018 at 9:30 PM I really like the slant you took on this topic and the delivery. I felt all that you were saying and the misery of countless humans who endured such conditions. To me, this is a winner because it captures so much of where the topic takes me. You did justice to the human condition as subjected to such a life, so sad. All the best ... CayCay Laura Leiser June 22, 2018 at 11:39 AM Thank you for your insightful comments, Cay Cay. We have much to be thankful for in our free society!

Richard Evans May 26, 2018 at 6:16 PM Excellent. Visual, topical and thought provoking. I'm sure this poem speaks for others. Thanks for sharing. Laura Leiser May 26, 2018 at 7:06 PM Thank you so much, Richard! So glad you liked my poem. :)

Silent One May 23, 2018 at 9:45 AM You write angst very well and I could feel it in the poem.. You have improved a lot as a poem Laura.. Laura Leiser May 23, 2018 at 11:57 AM Thank you, Silent! I'm glad you are back!! :)