Call to Arms: by A.J. Ponder from Prophecy (The Sylvalla Chronicals)

When reality is cut asunder

And made anew

When the world cries out for Heroes

And Death awakens

When Evil slithers through

The cracks of Truth

Then comes a moment,

A call

Then comes a simple illusion that breaks its bonds

And becomes.

I was editing today and came across this old poem. Ironically, it was written as a chapter heading for my to be released book "Prophecy" (Yes, the book is a little bit cheesy. I like a good dollop of humour in my fiction!)

But still, it seemed apt.

The call has been made, either we are for human rights - or we are not.
Our reality is about to cut one way or the other -- into divisive hate, or a step forward to something better.

This is a time for heroes.
Who will they be?
Who will stand up for the rights of babes torn from their mother's arms?
Who will stand up for the oppressed?
What illusion is going to ne freed? One of hate? Or one of love?

Have a great week, people,
I truly hope we can make this world better.

A.J. Ponder

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And tell me which poems you'd like to see in my upcoming poetry book—2024? https://ko-fi.com/ajponder

Dear Captain America

Pardon me, but your sword and shield are trampled in the dirt
they're a little broken,
a little rusty perhaps
but I know you can dust them off
and mend the cracks

I don't mean to intrude, but we're all being squashed by a golden elephant
maybe it's rude
not to all love gold and all
but the shit is toxic
and it only helps itself to the ball

My apologies, I know it's a hero thing, but really, do you have to
exhaust all alternatives
before doing the right thing?
surely the small problem of climate change
is enough embroiling?

So, please, if you wouldn't mind, my dearest, and most influential friend
pretty, pretty please
let the vote ring out fair and free
and mend your broken sword and shield
of justice and of liberty.

No need to hurry you, or anything, but children are dying
the air is poisoned
and the water too
but the problem can be fixed-
the only question is-
will you?


A.J. Ponder

Apologies for the couple of weeks off, had a touch of a seasonal cold, it's coming up to autumn here, but now the cicadas are out, the sun is shining, and it's been a surprisingly nice couple of days after a bit of a cold front and parts of the country under water.
Wishing everyone well, especially the kids who are fighting against climate change, for a better world http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-climate-change-lawsuit-2307504755.html

A.J.

It's been a while

WW1 ambulance "staff" Picture taken by P. Sirvid

It's been a while
since we remembered,
the shattered streets
and shattered lives
a world away from
our quiet suburban lives

Lest we forget
we're living on a world
that never stops shaking,
let us take time to celebrate 
the men and women
on the front lines
willing to give up
a piece of their lives
to help others

WW1 ambulance Picture taken by P. Sirvid

It's been a bit of a roller coaster of a week, ANZAC celebrations...cough...I mean commemorations always leave me a little sixes and sevens, it's important for us to remember the loss and sacrifice of a generation of young men, but sometimes it doesn't feel...right. Quick - nobody smile - I'm the joy police! Maybe I want to hear about how the CO's stood by their principles even to the death, and how most soldiers respected that stance, far more than the public at home. Yes, there is a time to fight, I'm sure, but you don't need to fight to be a hero.

Some of ours are off in Nepal right now...
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-zealand-search-and-rescue-team-hit-ground-running-in-nepal-6301819

To donate: The New Zealand Red Cross is probably as good a charity as any, if you have other suggestions please leave a comment. https://www.redcross.org.nz/donate/nepal-earthquake-appeal/

Overseas: http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-25/how-help-nepal-7-vetted-charities-doing-relief-work-following-earthquake

Best wishes for the week,

A.J.

(P.S. I normally post late on a Tuesday, but because the magnitude of this tragedy is so great, and I decided to post early in the hope of encouraging people to donate.)

Tuesday Poem: The Hero - Movement 3 Political Evolution

Movement 3 Political Evolution

Today

All

Is still

Except the carrion call

Rising triumphant

Into the

First rays

Of the new dawn

Today

We shall eat

Drink and be merry

My fine vultures

Today we feast

on heroes 

A.J. Ponder

And that, my friends was the last exciting instalment of "The Hero." 

If you're interested the first instalment, Corpse Road is here at 

http://anafflictionofpoetry.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/tuesday-poem-hero-first-movement.html

"Baby Teeth" signing pic curtesy of Matt Cowens

And the second instalment, Last Stand, is at  http://anafflictionofpoetry.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/tuesday-poem-hero-movement-2-last-stand.html

Busy week this week, Baby teeth launch on the 30th and the White Cloud World Exhibition at Rona Gallery is still in pre-production - although it's certainly coming along, lots of work to do still though - and to make it harder, it's the Hobbit Fan Event today and Phil and I have tickets!  Totally crazy.  Totally shouldn't be going.  But so long as the world isn't about to end, we're going to have a blast - have some fun and then I've got to hurry back to work and sort out the catalogue etc etc etc 

Hoping to catch up with everyone's poems late Wednesday night, until then, why not get a headstart and check out the Tuesday Poem blog?