Let’s Start Again (5th May, 2011)
Let’s start again,
go back a day, or just an hour
before the milk turned sour,
before the ten o’clock news brought global pain.
Is one day ever enough?
Let’s start the century again,
go back before campaigns were run by hate,
when East and West were compass points
and we were all more blessed,
before it got too late;
rewind, and watch the Towers climb,
before weapons got confused with planes,
when faith was not led by the blind
and skylines stood unrazed.
Let’s start again,
the question is the test:
At which point in our history
were we at our best?
Let’s uninvent the atom bomb,
return the gunmetal to the ground,
rewrite the bloody history books
with the new peace we’ll have found.
I’m starting small,
but the more I dig,
the more the time begins
to look like it might slip… so let’s go big;
let’s go back a millennium
or two, or three;
back to when we were pure
and lived in lands that were free;
back when we could not be bought
and heart meant more than face;
back before the wars, and the wars, and the wars…
until we find the cause to erase;
back to when humanity was a thought
instead of a race;
back to when we still had grace.
Let’s start again,
I say.
Comments
Highhat | May 6, 2011 - 15:35
very evocative and provocative. I enjoyed this. I think it is a good go for the comp.
;)Pia
insertponceyfre... | May 6, 2011 - 17:59
yes, very thought provoking - I enjoyed it!
RachelPatricia | May 7, 2011 - 15:14
Brilliant, this is, Jennifer - really enjoyed, good luck with it in the comp :)
Rachel xx
jennifer | May 7, 2011 - 18:31
Thank you, all three of you, for your kind and supportive comments. I have found this title so inspiring, especially in light of recent global events - glad it struck a chord with you!
J x
SteveM | May 11, 2011 - 11:47
That's brilliant !!! You've put into a few words the feelings of many. And highlighted the problem - where do we start again?
Steve
Nathan Bednarek | May 11, 2011 - 23:29
Inspiring, almost had me standing and saluting the future generations
;-p
Truly beautiful. It's not easy to write poetry about this subject as it is one of those things that seems to have been exhausted as to what else can be written about it. However, you managed to write it with originality and a very refreshing tone, that to me as a reader is a good minute or two of complete pleasure ;-)
I guess what I'm trying to say is... well done ;-)
Nathan x
jennifer | May 12, 2011 - 18:51
Steve & Nathan,
Somehow the given title and all the recent news and an old favourite song combined in my head and stewed for a bit, and here is the result! Difficult subject matter, but the eternal question, eh?!
Thank you so much for your fab, supportive comments,
J x
Cavalcaderl | May 24, 2011 - 19:55
New Jennifer
Liked all of this, good the way
bringing news,past and present,and
situations,suggesting hope, for new
days and peace to the world.
Good luck for the comp.
julie x
jennifer | May 24, 2011 - 20:17
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Julie, and thank you for your kind support, glad you like the poem!
J x
luigi_pagano | June 8, 2011 - 12:00
The dreamer in me hails this Utopian vision and the sceptic in me despairs at the reality.
A very, very good poem, Jennifer.
Luigi xx
russiandoll | July 8, 2011 - 00:32
This is a great talking point poem - social science commentary, etc. A poem to bring together discussion across generations, I think. Very good :)
jennifer | July 8, 2011 - 21:41
Thank you, Luigi, high praise indeed, I feel the same about writing it!
Russiandoll - many thanks, I was hoping to strike a chord with everyone! Glad you agree!
J x
Blessing | October 22, 2011 - 22:40
Jennifer, I have only just discovered this. Goodness me is all I can say and breathtaking. Because I spotted you on a news item I came to this space and now I know it was no accident. Yah Bless your inspiration Jennifer and I have given my support too!!