Floods,
earthquakes,
and fire,
tornadoes and storms conspire
to bear down on humanity,
possible revenge for its
treatment of Mother Earth.
The stench of destruction moves through air
spreading its message of despair
across neighborhoods and continents.
Perplexed people in tears
gazing to heaven asking why,
eyes blinded to the deeper tragedy.

Know that this is,
at its essence, a broken world.
And in our brokenness
we have furthered the ruin.
Praying for redemption,
release,-
rehabilitation
as we always do in the midst of strife.

Redemption will come
in our extended hands, our free will offerings,
the love opportunities that heal both ways.
Release will come
as our arms offer support
and our fingers wipe away tears.
Rehabilitation will come
as we move together to build from ruins
necessary personal temples for shelter,
a new spiritual mantra for honoring creation
and a just social structure for mankind.

The above poem won as part of Heritage Presbyterian Church’s “Making the World a Better Place” poetry contest.

Sharing is caring!