Something was needed,
a weight bearing substance
or a strong back.
Only children answered the call.
Only the children stepped forward.
Only the children were called by name.
They were stacked like cordwood.
Their bones burned with
the fierce heat of a black locust.
They became the fulcrum.
An indifferent world
would not be moved.
Adapted for dVerse 55 word poem prompt.
Inertia 2
05 Thursday Dec 2013
Posted in poems
Poetry on the run 
oh dang… like a punch in the stomach… dunno if i read it the right way but reminds me of children soldiers they sent to the front…
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So strong, dystopian, bleak, yet beautiful sad like a Leonard Cohen lyric, poem, or song; light within darkness, yang procreating with ying; a fine job, thanks for sharing.
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Ron.. this is beyond strong.. an indifferent world to the burning of children… sounds like the holucaust to me…very strong with the repitions hitting the words with an iron hammer…
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Wow… this is amazing, Ron. I read it two different ways- one as sacrificial and the other as spiritual (childlike faith).
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I do think sometimes children see things clearer than adults. Sad that the indifferent world would not be moved. Far too much indifference today.
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I can’t imagine such a world – usually children are the one thing people will protect – makes me shiver and think of all the genocide… but the children “volunteering” is what makes me think it isn’t this… I’d love to know what your are writing about.
By the way, I think your header photo is beautiful!
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I came across a bible quote on FB, …”and a little child shall lead them…” and it sparked this poem. I don’t read the book myself, but thankfully I have a cousin who does and likes to post verses.
As for the photo, thanks…wish I could take credit for it.
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It is a terrifying world you have painted, Ron. One where the plight of children leaves people indifferent. I am also curious as to the story behind the call.
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My cousin posted a bible verse on FB, “…and a little child shall lead them…” it sparked this poem.
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ugh…like a punch in the gut…so horrible…that a world would not be moved or be moved by the plight of children…it is disgusting to me….children though may still have the strength to face this world that we often turn a blind eye to….
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Sharp and scary of what happened to the children ~ And I feel helpless that still the world is indifferent ~ Nice to meet you ~
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It’s a shame that it takes the death of children to bring a change. Then there are situations like Sandy Hook where even the children didn’t make a difference.
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Wow, such an intense and powerful poem. I am shaken.
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Sobering, chilling, poignent.
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The Archimedian point of suffering children had better move the heart, if not the world. Painful.
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so much suffering, so little movement…it’s a blight on civilization.
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You and Cressida both have powerful writes, Ron. ~ M
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wow, Cressida’s is amazing.
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Powerful. Intense writing indeed…. the indifferent world to the sufferings of the children.
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You touched a nerve here…everyday I feel for the future of all children..how will they survive with what we are leaving to them as a legacy…let alone these kinds of horrific historical events..yes, nice blog.
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Rightly said Ron! Children are called upon to shoulder and face up to what adults refused to solve and resolve. It’s a modern tragedy! Good one!
Hank
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Oh, my, this one is such a powerful indictment of indifference and inertia! Shattering imagery.
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Brilliant.
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Thank you very much.
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O! Horrors! And just which slaughter or maltreatment will trip the fulcrum and make a difference?
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I wonder what it will take to make this a just world?
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This is stunning. Threatening, mournful, unswervingly harsh, but without melodrama. So many thoughts on what history informed this piece. The least able to defend are the ones that suffer most.
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Innocence abused
From fulcrum to canon fodder is a short step.
Chilling.
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The innocence of children leads too often to their destruction.
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This world can be a wonderful place…it can also be very dangerous, especially for the innocent. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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Such a terrifying world you’ve conjured in the space of a few words, like a masted monstrosity in a ship-in-a-bottle vessel.
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Thank you very much for reading and commenting.
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