Triumphant Voices

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

For all that many of the world’s societies are sick with power, bigotry and an obsession with material things, the man and woman in the street comprise its beating heart; it is they who live in hope, keep its wheels turning every day towards a better end they may never see but whose inspiration they can at least pass on to their young people.

Our planet’s survival, and what terms, lies in the hands of our young people. (Yes, and what kind of example is the early 21^st century setting them?)

We can but trust future generations will still have the stomach for love and peace after feeding off  the predilection of early 21^st century socio-cultural-religious leaders’ for creating conflict and division, if only so they can win support (even approval) by appearing to confront it at any cost. 

This poem is a villanelle.

TRIUMPHANT VOICES 

Through terror strike fear

into the heart,

we shall (ever) persevere

Listen, and we can hear

a pop song start…

though terror strike fear

Here, there, everywhere,

lives torn apart;

we shall (ever) persevere

Listen, young voices clear,

taking our part…

though terror strike fear

Where the tragedy of war,

has peace lose out,

we shall (ever) persevere

Backstage, the arms dealer

courts political clout...

Though terror strike fear,

we shall (ever) persevere

Copyright R. N. Taber 2005; 2012

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears in A Feeling for the Quickness of Time by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2005.]