We Can't See Heaven For The Blood

August 01, 2014

We can’t see heaven for the blood.

Redemption didn’t buy its bullets

from the right god … toe tags keep

piling up an eye for an eye.

How much death is enough?

Hell isn’t a deterrent when

live lungs are breathing ash.

A broken winged child looks the same

in every race, in every mother’s tears.

Yet… still peace waits….It hopes…

It believes each mirror will speak,

“You are the answer to ending war.”

©Susie Clevenger 2014

At Real Toads Marian prompted us to respond poetically to Steve Earle's moving song Jerusalem.

Real Toads ~ Jerusalem

Comments

Susan said…

That will indeed be the fairest of all! Bless you.

August 1, 2014 at 7:02 PM

Marian said…

this, yes! this:

Hell isn’t a deterrent when
live lungs are breathing ash.

August 1, 2014 at 7:15 PM

Sherry Blue Sky said…

FANTASTIC! "each mirror will speak 'you are the answer to ending war.'" A spectacular write, Susie.

August 1, 2014 at 7:17 PM

Margaret said…

The first stanza grabs me and the line about every child and its mother … wow. You really nailed this challenge!

August 1, 2014 at 9:15 PM

Sumana Roy said…

"How much death is enough?"...I hope these words cover the whole world...

August 1, 2014 at 10:34 PM

Preeti S. said…

This one is so powerful and an instant favourite. I love the use of imagery, the message really hits home. Loved this. And I hope peace breaks out as readily as war in present, as well as in future.

August 2, 2014 at 1:03 AM

Kerry O'Connor said…

An eye for an eye is such an ancient form of political opposition, yet does not seem to have lost its popularity. I don't pretend to understand how this could ever be a solution.

August 2, 2014 at 5:20 AM