For Beauty
For all the destruction
The stains of ruin
Watermarks where rain
Rots through faith
For all the desecration of children
Corruption, extinction, and floating garbage
The bombs and bones and torn and aching flesh
For all the wretched jabber of apathy, short memories
Spittle of hatred, tears of living tragedies
Void of tomorrows
There persists
In the shy dreams of the heart
A spark of yearning
For beauty
In response to The Daily Echo’s Thursday #Writephoto prompt. Photo and prompt by Sue Vincent.
Myths of the Mirror 
Wow wonderful poem!
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Thank you, Antonia. I so appreciate the visit!
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Damn….I wasn’t able to stop reading it repeatedly!👌👌👌
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Thanks for the lovely comment! You gave me a big smile with that one. 🙂 I’m traveling, so I apologize for the delay in replying. Hope you’re having a great week.
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[…] via For Beauty #Writephoto — Myths of the Mirror […]
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Thanks again for sharing!
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This reminds me of a book by Michael Morpurgo called ‘Oranges in No Man’s Land’. Your words are moving, in a way that is so close to the heart. The closer we are connected to the world, the more horror we see and hear about. In a way that people of the past were spared from. But you’re right, there is hope – my favourite line ‘shy dreams of the heart’ – reminds me of Lucy Maud Montgomery! 🙂 The reason people keep fighting for life and their rights is because of those very shy dreams ❤
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What a lovely comment, Lenora. It’s easy for me to forget when watching the news that there are people out there every day standing up for others, being compassionate and kind and generous, teaching, caring, loving, and creating beauty. We have to keep them in our vision and remember that there is still plenty of goodness in the world. 🙂 ❤
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These words of yours…so honest and moving, Diana…I have missed them so. There is a sense of hope at the end of the poem that I truly appreciate. It speaks for so many of us and how we feel about today’s environment. Thank you for this poem.
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. I can get pretty gloomy about the state of the world, but there are people doing amazing things every day, and they give me hope. ❤
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Especially in times like these, every little act of kindness is amazing to me.
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Well done, Diana! So gloomy at the start, but love the bright at the end. May we all get to the bright sooner rather than later, and out-shine the gloom.
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Thank you, Julie. Let’s hope so! But while we’re getting there, it’s comforting to know that there are still people bringing all kinds of beauty to the world. 😀 And that includes you!
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❤ ❤ ❤
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Glad you could see the light in the darkness. If more people thought this way, the world would be a better place. Nice post.
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Thanks you, Michele, for the thoughtful comment. I think there is often a glimpse of light when things are at their darkest. Somewhere around the gloomy corner there are still people striving to make the world kinder, more compassionate, more beautiful. That gives me a lot of hope for humankind. ❤
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[…] D. Wallace Peach at Myths of the Mirror […]
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A spark of hope in all the darkness. Loved this one, Diana.
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Thanks for the visit, Teri. I came instantly when I saw Sue’s image. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
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Reblogged this on K. D. Dowdall and commented:
This beautiful poem by D. Wallace Peach, I believe, is very representative our latent views as writers. As we view the glaring changes surrounding us, that are not good for humanity, faith, and our way of life. Please read and comment, if you chose to do so. Thank you!
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Thanks so much for sharing, Karen. I’m so honored. 🙂
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Diane, I am the one that is honored, you are a brilliant writer and poet. Thank you for the lovely compliment. Karen 🙂
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❤
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I knew you wouldn’t lead us down the pathway of despair without a light at the end. And true to my faith in you and your optimism, you did not disappoint me. Lovely poem, Diana.
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Thanks, Molly. I fluctuate between pessimism and optimism. Sometimes I tear up at how amazingly wonderful people are and then I turn on the news and want to… Anyway, I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Happy Tuesday!
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Yeah, the news is probably not the place to go when you want to feel positive. On the other hand, sometimes it provides fodder for humor writers. 😀
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Ha ha ha. That’s true. 🙂
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My first thought, when I read your stunning words, was…an elegant despair, wisely felt with faith, still, to carry forward burdens unbidden for hope shall shine through it all.
Diana, this, your poem, is so beautiful and meaning so deep, that it just doesn’t end.
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Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Karen. I’m prone to pessimistic gloom, but I’m also a witness to people being incredibly loving, compassionate, generous, and creative. All of that is a manifestation of beauty, which gives me hope. ❤ Have a beautiful week.
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Often times, a sense of gloom can lead to the most beautiful writing, as you did, and that leads to other people, collectively sighing, knowing, that something must be done. And, then, other people wake up to the reality around them and things begin to change, hopefully for the better. We just have to wake up and get our heads out of the sand, because writers and poets do change the world and most often cause great changes…so let there be changes for good, I hope.
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Wonderfully expressed, Karen. Thank you.
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“A spark of yearning…” YES! Just beautiful, Diana!
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Thanks so much for stopping by to read, Jan. Keep sparking and sparkling and adding beauty to the world. 😀
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All we need is a tiny bit of hope. 🙂
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Yeah. There actually is a lot of hope going on amidst all the despair and tragedy, but we have to look for it. And sometimes make it happen ourselves. 🙂 ❤ Thanks for the visit!
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A very powerful and thought provoking poem Diana. The world sure needs a lot more beauty right now. Happy New Year.
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Thanks so much for the lovely comment. I agree, Brigid. I fall into despair about the condition of the world, and then see people acting everyday with kindness, compassion, and generosity. There’s hope for us yet. ❤
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Just mesmerizing, Diana. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you! I know you can relate to the despairing condition of the world, Suzanne, as well as the joy when people rise above and prove there is hope for humankind. :<3
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Ooh, lovely. That second stanza (the pot/trunk?) is the perfect balance to the first part. What a beautifully phrased and designed piece of writing.
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Thank you, Cath. It’s funny how some poems come fully formed and the first draft never changes, and then some are so full of toil and are never done. This was the former, I’m pleased to say. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it. Happy Writing!
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Wow! A incredibly powerful poem, Diana! You capture the dark and bleak moments of our time with great drama and vividly capture the despair of it all. Thankfully there is light, a hope that seems to keep us going:
‘A spark of yearning For beauty.’
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Thank you, Annika. I’m very gloomy, except when I’m not. Ha ha. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. Have a wonderful week, my friend. ❤
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Gorgeous piece.
That last stanza. Amazing
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Thank you so much for the comment. I’m just tickled that you enjoyed this. Happy Writing!
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Thank you, you too!!
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Your drawing is as deep as your words ❤️
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Thank you, Solitaire. I had fun with this one. It was much better entertainment than planning mindless games on my phone. 😀
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Stunning as always! You spin music with words.
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What a lovely comment! Thanks, Mae. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. I loved the prompt and it popped right into my brain. 🙂 Happy Launching!
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Beautiful and oh so true.
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Thank you for stopping by, Lyn. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Have a wonderful week and Happy Writing!
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Perfect, Diana. I love the contrast between the two parts of the poem.
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Thank you, Sue. I loved this prompt and was delighted when the poem popped into my head. You’ve had some fantastic responses. 🙂
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The picture seems to have gone down very well.:)
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Sometimes I think it is the yearning for beauty and the finding of it that uplifts us and keeps us going despite all the mayhem.
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I agree, Suzanne. And though I don’t always notice them, there are people doing wonderfully generous, kind, and beautiful things every day. That’s where I draw my hope, even in the midst of ruin. ❤
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Yes it is good to look at what good things others are doing but as you say they can be hard to see against the backdrop of chaos. What I find most enduring and easier to spot is the beauty of nature.
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Wow.
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Thanks, Chelsea. Better than poems about farts? I’m glad you enjoyed this one. I loved the prompt. 😀
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😀 I admit that I try not to read through the entries till Friday morning, to be more fair. And, I tend to forget who they are associated with if I do that.
…so, yes, objectively, better than a poem about farts. 😀
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I appreciate the fairness of your judging our terribleness, Chelsea. We take our terrible poetry very seriously. 😀
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Of course!
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Wow, great ending. I was getting pretty miserable reading the first part then boom, the pick-me-up. Skilfully done Diana!
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Thanks, Jessica. I’m sorry you were getting depressed! But I saved you at the end. 😀 There’s love, compassion, and beauty amidst all the despair, and there’s where we hang our hope . ❤
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Well said 🤗
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May the spark start a wildfire of love… Beautiful reminder, Diana!
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Thank you, Bette. Yes, we each have the power to light that match of love and beauty. Have a wonderful week, my friend. ❤
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Wishing you a week overflowing with blessings and love, Diana! ❤
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Lovely Diana!
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Thank you, Brad. I loved this prompt. Happy Writing, my friend. 🙂
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Thank you. 🙂
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You’ve caught the melancholy and the yearning. But also hope. it’s still there. (K)
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Thank you, Kerf. Yes, that was the message that I hoped to convey. I’m sometimes very pessimistic, but I never completely give up hope. 😀 Happy Creativity!
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Love it. For all the bad, there persists the dream of good. So true in these trying times. ❤️
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Yes! The overlap of the colorful mural against the “ruin” was powerful for me. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Nick. 🙂
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I love how you have taken all the woes of a life – of a world – and still reminded us that the love of beauty in all her many permutations is what makes our lives worthwhile. Beautifully written Diana ❤
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Aaah. You are so kind, Pauline. That’s exactly what I wanted to convey. Despite all, there is love and kindness and beauty everywhere, if we choose to bring it to life. Keep smiling and creating, my friend. ❤
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Beautiful, Diana!
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Thanks, Jill. I’m taking a reblog break today, and thought this message of hope would be a nice place to land. Happy Sunday. 🙂
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Love the whisper of hope you injected into this piece, Diana. Beautiful ❤
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Thank you, Jacquie. The image was so evocative that the poem simply burst in my head. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Lovely poem. It speaks of the world we live in
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Thanks, Drew. That’s what I was going for. Things can look pretty bleak, and yet there are people everywhere bringing beauty and hope. 🙂
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I have often said if everyone in the world blogged, the world would be a better place.
Spread the love and inspiration.
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I think so too. Blogging makes the world a smaller place, and unlike some social media platforms, bloggers are sweet!
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Hope (and compassion) spring eternal. Lovely poem.
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Thanks, Priscilla. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem. There is still hope for us, I think. 🙂
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wonderful feeling
the beauty return
again 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by. I loved the photo and the beauty set against the ruin. 🙂
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Lovely!
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Thank you, Anneli. 🙂 Happy Sunday.
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You too, Diana. The sun is peeking out today!!!!!!
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Not here! But maybe tomorrow?? Enjoy it while it’s there. 🙂
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It came with cold air so that should help you not feel so left out.
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It is this spark, this yearning for what lies within a kind heart that keeps the world going! Women’s March and teacher’s March for human rights exemplifies that human spirit is alive.
Thanks for compressing the cosmos in this poem.
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Thanks so much for visiting, Balroop. I forgot about the March(es). I love it that women are demanding accountability. That spark of hope for a better tomorrow is growing. ❤
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What begins with so much tumult, ends so beauty-fully.
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Thank you, Violet. 🙂 I loved the prompt and had to give it a try. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Have a great Sunday!
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l love this Diana. The last stanza completely turned this poem on its head by way of meaning.
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Thank you for the kind comment, Robbie. That was my intent, so I’m glad it worked! The prompt was so evocative! Happy Sunday, my friend. ❤
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You too, Diana. I think my Sunday is ending and yours is still morning.
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Yes. It’s not even 10 am here. 🙂 We’re time-traveling over the internet!
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This is gorgeous writing, Diana. Dark, yet hopeful ‘in the shy dream’.
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Thank you, Steven. It came to me instantly when I saw the image. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Have a wonderful Sunday, my friend. ❤
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Gorgeous And emotionally charged! Love it, Diana!!💫
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Thank you so much, Jordy. I’m taking a brief break from the reblogs today. 🙂 Sue has great prompts, doesn’t she? Happy Writing!
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She does, that is my next one up for the day! Have a great sunday. Remember to look at the blood res moon tonight. It is after 9:00 pm Pacific.
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Thanks for the reminder! I’m so surrounded by trees that I have to get in my car and drive down the mountain to see it. If it’s not raining (I wish), I’ll head down. 😀
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Ooh, the poem has this spooky, dark feeling that matches the photo so well. It spoke to me because my spouse, who is Catholic, is currently trying to work through and in a faith in which the leaders have done some pretty terrible stuff (the line ‘desecration of children’ really got me, there). Anyway, even if you didn’t intend it, this poem really gave me time to think about this pain and difficulty. It was a good thing.
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Thanks so much for reading and reflecting on the poem. I wanted to cover a broad range of areas that bring despair in today’s world. Sadly the list could have gone on for pages. But the human capacity for hope, goodness, and beauty was the true message. Every one us has the ability to choose according to our conscience and make the world a kinder, more compassionate, and beautiful place. I loved the prompt and the idea for the poem was instant. ❤
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