weave new boats from white dove wings
to sail down rivers of red,
olive branches for your oars,
downstream float the dead;
paper cranes wilt on the banks,
hope drowns in innocent blood;
whirlpools form where children fell,
peace cries in the mud.
THOUGHT PURGE 
A river of life turned to a river of death. Powerful write…
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Thanks very much.
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this was sorrowful. i could see their dead bodies and their blood in the river by your poem here. very true and very tearful. reminds me that not all can look at a river with cheerful and uplifting souls. thanks for that.
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Thank you, appreciate your comment.
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You paint a haunting voice, which needs to be heard~
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Thanks so much Ella… How I wish it would be..mine and all the collective voices demanding a measure of humanity.
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Sadly the casualties of war are often the children who should be the ones to be saved at all cost. Sadly war has no boundaries and warmongers no conscience.
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Absolutely and their little voices are drowned in the cacophony of war and greed…
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I like the image of weaving boats. Your poem is sad, true and it breaks my heart that peace cries in the mud.
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Thanks Myrna 🙂
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“Peace cries in the mud..” So heartbreaking, so unexpected. Your poem took the prompt ‘river’ to a new dimension… It awed me.
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Thanks for your kind comment Mary. Glad you liked it.
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This is powerful. So sad it holds such horrific truth. Well penned!
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Thanks Susie…
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Beautifully expressed, conveying the horror vividly. Don’t forget the Save the Children fund for donations (we can do SOMETHING): http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6146369/k.95B8/Ways_To_Give.htm
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Thanks Rosemary.
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Your words create an image that will not soon leave as it hit that chord of reality. “Peace cries in the mud” ugh…heartbreaking
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Thank you Truedessa…appreciate your comment.
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Ah,the concluding lines almost brought a lump to my throat. Peace, where is Peace? .Hope someone lifts them up from the slimy pit….May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Disturbing piece, but very beautifully penned…
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Thanks Panchali.. yes, I hope so too.. at least for the sake of the children.
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This is a stunning piece, Rajani, the red against the white, the cries in the mud………..visually stunning. Wow!
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Thanks so much Sherry, glad you liked it.
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I just so love this. For the content and style but also because of who it is written for!
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Thank you, appreciate your comment.
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Ouch! But gosh how beautifully and seamlessly you create that hurt, re-create it, emphasizing the colors. Thank you.
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Thank you Susan.
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white is truly a distant dream nowadays…wish we could weave, weave and weave those boats….
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Thanks for stopping by Sumana…
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Heart wrenching write… indeed we should be more considerate towards such issues.
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Such an effecting poem that will no doubt stand the test of time – the last line alone certainly gave me pause for thought
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Thanks so much Jae Rose…
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If it’s alright with you, I think I’ll swim in the hotel pool!
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🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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Me, too.
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Vivid imagery and great tone.
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Thanks Magaly.
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This is quietly powerful. The images resonate.
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Thank you 🙂
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absolutely poignant. so introspective. gracias
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Thanks MarcoAntonio
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This is really powerful.
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Thank you!
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This is crafted in chiaroscuro, the plea of innocents and the wickedness of humanity very well paralleled; really good one
Have a nice Tuesday
much love…
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Thanks so much Gillena
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Very powerful!
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Thanks Marian.
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aching words from unheard voices crying to remind each of us that “peace begins with me.”
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I could think of the pain and misery and suffering of the migrants from Syria, and that photograph of the kid, which became popular all over the world, comes to mind as well.
“peace cries in the mud” indeed. A haunting write in many ways. Well-penned.
-HA
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Thanks Anmol…the kids that no one is writing about as well..
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Do you think there is anywhere on this planet, that one could find peace?
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Perhaps in a limited context, but then you might want it to be a given for all.
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The whole world needs redemption!
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It is just so sad, heart breaking that this is the reality of so many people. Well crafted! 😄
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It’s kinda disturbing- this poem. I suppose that was the intended effect of this line: “…peace cries in the mud.” Wanting to be heard.
Wonderful poem.
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Thank you Tiegan… Yes, that voice needs to be heard ..for the sake of the children at least.
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