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A Bombers Prayers

by John G.Hall 

Posted: 19 March 2004
Word Count: 171
Summary: worry beads worry me....


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A Bombers Prayers.

The people are fictional
in the bombers book,
only his soul matters
in the short run of fuse,
they are shadows cast
into the Spanish earth,
mere symbols of Satan
conjured from prayers.

Each life pushed off
the heart's agenda
by pain & humiliation,
each pure white bead
pushed along a string
in praise of a prophet
of peace is marbled red
by the blood of Madrid.

The people are fictional
in the Texan's rule book,
only power matters
in their wars long run,
they are collateral left
by the road side of Iraq,
damage limitation unlimited
by wealth's ill-gotten good.

Each life crossed off
the Christians' list
by white self-worship.
Each black bead
pushed along a string
in praise of a prophet
of peace is marbled
red by the blood
of all the innocent,
of Iraq and Madrid
of New York & Bali.

The bombers prayers
slip from their threads,
black & white beads
fall from broken faiths,
gold colours the day
and America sleeps.



John G.Hall(c)2004






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Comments by other Members



engldolph at 11:40 on 21 March 2004  Report this post
Hi John

I found this very strong and well written..and a piece that calls you back to read more than once...finds a way of balancing the responsibility ..

The worry bead image really lingers..

Other lines I really liked:
- People are fictional...
- in praise of a prophet
of peace is marbled
red by the blood
- fall from broken faiths,
gold colours the day
and America sleeps. (v.strong finish)

Not sure of...
- by wealth's ill-gotten good.
- only his soul matters (you already make this very clear with the rest of the verse 1)
- only power matters
(seemed a bit clichéd compare to other lines)

Technical things..
- the hearts agenda (doesn't it need a ' in heart's)?
- the Christians list (..a ' in Christians')?


Again, I liked the piece and its insight.
Regards,
Mike

Fearless at 19:38 on 22 March 2004  Report this post
A very strong, thoughtful piece. Threads are being broken everywhere...reminds me of a strand of hair and a sword,

fearless

Skeetr at 23:48 on 13 April 2004  Report this post
John,

Totally missed this one last month -- what a kicker. Mike's post lists almost all the positives I was going to throw your way and I'm late coming in, so won't belabour it -- just great to read something politically thought-provoking plus strongly crafted.

Best,

Smith


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