Terror, War And Lust Poem by Barry Middleton

There is too much sorrow in this world,
too much for lamenting poets to describe,
too much to chronicle with weak words.

What is the metaphor for our brutality,
a beast that hides a ghastly hoard of sin,
that lurks within the heart of every man?

The cold reptilian brain bears the mark,
yet concealed by human flesh and blood;
it shows itself in smoke and fire and lust.

Though it stands upright in the garden,
its soul slithers like a venomous rapist.
It feeds on the virginal innocence of youth.

The serpent is the beating heart of war.
Its terror seizes the soul of a generation.
It scorches the earth in hell's brimstone.

~~~~~

Inspired by the brutal bombing of innocents in Lahore, Pakistan on Easter Sunday, March 27,2016.