THE DREAM
I watched
as generations
moved forward
as civilization
painstakingly
progressed
set foothold
knowledge
unfolded
slowly
I observed
the millenniums
of human endeavor
as they awakened
to self-reliance
less dependent
on hive mentality
mastering machines
eliminating conflict
striving for truth
ever evolving
I saw
nature
the world
tempered
reshaped
resilient
proud
I stand tall
a mighty tree
heaven’s tether
thrusting skyward
much further indeed
than any rooted thing
the constant sentinel
a perpetual presence
witness to triumph
of the humans
}<:>{
THE NIGHTMARE
I watched
unable to help
so utterly horrified
as generations receded
as empires crumbled
greed ran rampant
wisdom ebbed
civilization
imploded
I observed
millenniums
of human folly
misguided logic
flawed reasoning
poor decisions
ever flailing
stumbling
in a cold
isolated
world
disconnected
from one another
from the environment
serving their machines
serving their avarice
perfecting violence
racing to ruination
becoming aliens
in a mad eden
disillusioned
depraved
diseased
finally
death
took
all
I watched through tears
as the natural world
slowly declined
diminished
withered
scarred
died
…
now
putrid
toxic air
permeates
burnt terrain
to far horizons
and now I stand
thrusting skyward
in this decaying hell
praying for a heaven
the only living thing
the pitiful survivor
the final sentinel
time’s witness
to tragedy
watching
the end
\/
…which comes true — we decide…
rob kistner © 2021
More poetry at: dVerse
Let’s keep The Dream alive! Beautifully written, Rob.
I agree wholeheartedly Ingrid! Thank you…
Wow – nice job!!!
Thank you Ron.
A dream can soon become a nightmare but, if that’s the case, then a nightmare might turn into a dream. Let’s hope ‘civilization’ finds its way back to the dream soon, Rob. My sympathy is with the trees.
Keep hoping we can find our way to the dream Kim.
Wow Rob! You did a magnificent job on this one. It is amazing how changing perspective change the world. Perhaps we can learn from you had to create a better more caring society!
Thank you Dwight. Too much like herding cats. I am just trying to do my best yo be a good fellow traveler on spaceship earth.
This is brilliantly accomplished, Rob! I join you in hoping that “the millenniums of human endeavor as they awakened to self-reliance less dependent on hive mentality.” May it be so! 🙂
I have great hope for some of humanity, just hope the others don’t screw things up — like TrumptyDumpty tried to.
There are no words, Rob. Unbelievably powerful! Truly. I was shaking my head….powerful powerful powerful.
Thank you Lillian. Hope humans keep forging toward the dream. We had ataste of the potential nightmare with Trump and COVID.