ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I guess I'm a bit preditable since I'm not much of a lateral thinker, but here's my contribution - not exactly cheerful either, but still...

Those ancient words on parchment writ to warn of careless actions—
the Bible, Nostradamus, countless prophets of the past;
ignoring admonitions we’ve continued our distractions,
decried them as hyperbole, till now we stand aghast.

For standing here as witnesses to prophet confirmations
in times of great uncertainty, mistrustfulness and fear,
with cities falling fast in Armageddon conflagrations
while rulers seem oblivious, or not what they appear;

where men defend a right to bear their arms like vigilantes
and children under ten are walking round armed to the teeth,
while refugees hide helplessly in crowded, stinking shanties
and human rights abusers stalk the underworld beneath;

with weapons of destruction threatened, wisdom ever flattened,
environmental tragedies occurring every day,
we carry on despite a chequered history that’s patterned
with similar stupidities as led to this decay.

Some leaders have debated - vague rhetoric to disparage,
or turned their heads away refuting all and merely slept,
exposing us to risk of doom with mixed, ill-fated marriage—
denial and complacency—while nations stood and wept.

It seems our turn will come, with many forecasts vindicated,
events before us every day - such mystifying strife;
our only hope may be that God (so often underrated),
forgives our shameful negligence and grants another life.

WOW! That's a powerful write Catherine and terrific use made of the prompts. Excellent write IMO - Prize winning and stirring stuff

My turn to say WOW, Maureen - thank you so much for this very warm, wonderful feedback - I greatly appreciate it!

It seems a desperate situation Catherine. I think God does forgive, we won't forgive.

Very well thought out, and an excellent piece of writing, as we would always expect from you Catherine.

Man has been trying to destroy himself from day one - and now has the means to at last achieve this.

Cheers

Terry

Thanks so much, Neville and Terry, I greatly appreciate your comments. Yes Terry, it's very sad that we have come to this point. I suppose it was inevitable - we are a strange species indeed!... Thank you also for your very kind words on the writing, which is a welcome encouragement!

I'll add my WOW! to the list!

My thoughts exactly but put so much more poetically and with
great eloquence.

Love your work

That's just lovely, Wendy - thank you so much for your very kind comments

I really like your writing Catherine Lee. I did not realise that the world was as bad as your poem says.... but you are quite right. It is!

Sadly I tend to ignore all the negative stuff that the media constantly feeds us.

I would love to see you use your great writing talents on saying how good the world is. The decent, if imperfect, people who largely populate it. The joy of just being alive.. the courage of the early morning.
The beauty of the land we live in. Nature.

The good things.... I reckon you could do an even better job on that aspect....!!

I disagree with you and believe that you are an extremely talented and capable lateral thinker! Your writing proves that.

Another powerful piece, Catherine!

I'm still struggling with mine - late but hopefully still coming!

Cheers
Shelley