The Future

the future

will find

us

still looking

in

the

mirror

the future will find 

us

still sitting

and

wondering

if

the world

is

in

error

kids will still

run with guns

be born

into

the fight

and mornings will still give way

to

that

dark

sacred

night

time will pass

and

time will be lost

and

kids will still

die

for 

the 

Cross

the future brings us hate

the future brings us love

the future is barbed wire

the future 

is

the dove

time will pass

it's 

time 

again

the future is just a matter of when

all things pass

to tomorrow we'll run

there's nothing new

under

the

sun

Author's Note

Hello friends! It's been more than a minute, but I suppose we can call this my return to the Cafe...

Reviews

[Neha agrawal]

This feels like a hymn for a broken world.

[John Sullivan]

Thank you so much for reading, and your thoughts. It's... a mess out there. Some say the arc of the universe trends towards justice... we shall see. Thank you for your visit.

[John the Baptist]

How is it kids will still die for the Cross? Were they dying for it before?

[John Sullivan]

...you are smarter than that comment. Here goes: I intended something of an entendre, a double meaning. First, a comment on the dogmatism of youth. Not necessarily religious dogmatism, but an almost blind, militant adherence to whatever the issue of the moment is. That's what I see, anyways. In our times. Second, most Christian eschatology teaches of the idea of spiritual rebirth of some sort. Is there a curious sort of private mystical meaning to that line? Maybe, but I'm not telling. Anyways. I hope this finds you well, I know it's been a while...

[Vol]

John,
Another poem about the vicissitude's of time! I read a quantum article which stated that the past is ads indeterminate as the future, there is no experimental proof of either in their particulars or the whole continuum. Gunshot flashes to freeze an infect image to fester, to dominate, to define the whole nature of perp and victim from then on, till the next time... another time... one more time, Deja vu.
Vol

[John Sullivan]

Vol Lindsay!

I feel like we've had this conversation before...

:P

[Lorry]

And a hearty welcome back to you John.
Each generational delusion that things were better back in the day, but all (we) can agree on is that (we) are right and everyone else is wrong!
Each generation has the belief that crime was lower and employment was higher, yet I remember complaining when my favourite candy went up in price from four pence to SIX pence! These days people would ask what was your favourite candy and I'd reply a splicer bar, only to be met with vacant stares. It did exist and was like if you took a packet of starburst and rolled all the colours into a rainbow chew bar. They don't exist now but I would guess with current inflation they'd cost well over a pound and be quarter the size they used to be.
Ahh, the good old days....
(See what I mean?) 😃

[John Sullivan]

Yeah, but my generation really did have it all figured out. Really. Promise.

I had to Google the Splicer Bar, sounds yummy!

[Lorry]

It was, but it has never shown any sign of being revived, sadly.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

This poem echoes like prophecy and lament combined. The pacing pulls each truth into sharp relief, and the contrast between “barbed wire” and “dove” gave me chills. That last line reminds me how history often feels like déjà vu disguised as progress.

[John Sullivan]

I think "déjà vu disguised as progress..." might be the condition of our times. It's just madness out there these days...

But anyways.

It is humbling and kind and wonderful to meet a new face here on the Cafe, allow me to say "thank you" for reading!

[Gregoria Ahmed]

It’s truly a pleasure connecting with you, John. Your writing lingers long after reading, and I’m grateful for the welcome. Looking forward to exploring more of your work here in the Cafe.

[John Sullivan]

That is so very kind! Would you mind if I sent you a friend request? From what I've read of your so far... well, the pleasure is mine.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Absolutely, John, I'd be honored. It’s been a genuine joy connecting with you through our words, and I look forward to discovering more of your work and thoughts. The pleasure is mine as well.

[John Sullivan]

My very many thanks.

[Davidgeo]

a little cynical tonight John. It's good to see you around none the less. And, you're not wrong, this poem is pretty accurate.

You should smoke some grass.

[John Sullivan]

Hello friend! It's occasional CBD gummies for me, my head can't handle the straight stuff. And tobacco. Sweet, sweet tobacco. Ahhhh, vice.

[Relic]

It's always great to see a writer from the past offer us a thought-provoking poem written from his/her own mind. Things change, and others never change. Wars come, and wars go. Injustice will always pop its head. But somewhere in it all progress is always possible.

Great poem with good rhymes within.

[John Sullivan]

So much injustice popping it's head out these days...

Thanks for reading, friend.

[Buddhistboy73]

Great thought povoking write here....
Yes indeed, there are no guarantees in life and likely as not, the future will be remarkably similar to today......(be that what it is....)

This is an honest write and doesn't hide ....liked the format too...

Feel free to check out one of my poems...

BB73

[John Sullivan]

Thank you kindly for your thoughts, and will do.