There the Reckoning

Where the earth, 
either scorched or drowned,
meets the fire of war 
or the floods of indifference,
where the sky,
once pristine, now flight-scarred,
meets the trawlers and the oil rigs
on the dying sea,
and the righteousness
that you wore as an amulet
became a millstone
that you could not bear.
Where the industrial heartlands,
robust and cruel,
run feverishly to or from the inner cities,
painful, seething and morose,
where the last suburban outliers,
fading and sanctimonious,
meet the first agricultural small-holdings,
desperate, stoic and resilient,
and you happened upon wealth
too bountiful to be shared,
but mostly succumbed
to the will of the mightier few.
There waits The Serpent,
there waits the heel of The Chosen One,
there waits the reckoning
that no malevolence can escape,
buried so deep within you
that they can never be seen or found.

28th December 2018
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Messina Avatar
December 31, 2018 at 6:05 AM
Absolutely brilliant poetry. Another gem and a fave for me. So cruel are the worlds destroyers. I hope you had a great Christmas and I wish you a very Happy and joyful New Year Lawrence. Peace be with you...Charlie
Sharp Avatar
December 31, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Thank you, Charles, for support and friendship always greatly valued. A very Happy New Year to you and yours.
Onclaud Avatar
December 30, 2018 at 10:37 AM
a time to redeem the self in the midst of dark forces...what a stirring read, lawrence!... huggs
Sharp Avatar
December 30, 2018 at 12:45 PM
Thanks very much, Nette, if I can stir any thought at all, that pleases me. Visit and comment warmly received.
Godwin Avatar
December 29, 2018 at 3:05 PM
Can you hear my applause? my echo of concurrence? Superb write every greedy human should read. This poured it on just as needs to be done to every ego-sick, power hungry, ignorant person. My opinions. Still clapping (yes, while typing - a talent). Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Sharp Avatar
December 30, 2018 at 12:14 AM
Thank you CC, very pleased that you enjoyed it. Our environmental transgressions are, I guess, among the most severe of too many transgressions to really keep up with. Thanks so much for visit and comment.
One Avatar
December 29, 2018 at 7:31 AM
Brilliant poetry Lawrence..
Sharp Avatar
December 29, 2018 at 10:21 AM
Thanks very much, SO, high praise, well received.
Nicole Avatar
December 28, 2018 at 1:57 PM
No one can escape judgment!!! And for those that create havoc in the world, shame on them. This is deep and powerful. Your words hold so much truth. ~ Brandy
Sharp Avatar
December 28, 2018 at 7:31 PM
Thanks, Brandy, appreciated. Very good to have you here again.
Pandit Avatar
December 28, 2018 at 7:18 AM
This is very deep, Lawrence. You articulate so well how the changes in our world have led to transformations seemingly for the betterment.. but in fact not so. And your warning is apt..time for reckoning!
Sharp Avatar
December 28, 2018 at 10:19 AM
Thanks, Vijay, you so often have keen analysis in your comments. Greatly valued.
Lindley Avatar
December 28, 2018 at 5:29 AM
There hides the curse of the black hand. Its power coming from within hearts that beat gold and blood' Souls that rest upon mountains of bones and wander the deserts trying to sate ever growing thirsts. Their spirits moaning for oceans of all.. Love your deep verse my great friend.. A fav.. a gem...
Sharp Avatar
December 28, 2018 at 10:17 AM
Thanks for comment and fave, my friend, your feedback is important and inspiring, as always.
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