With borders drawn, on maps and carved
through hearts, and barbed with fences, walls
and words; it’s the day democracy destroys itself.
But you have a choice to close your mind to lies
and open doors, to comprehend that compromise
requires strength, that heroes are the silent ones.
Or you might say that freedom is collecting wealth
that God rewards the likes of you with health,
that cancer can result from sin and how your gold
replace the trust of fellow me you’ve lost.
Studies For The Heads Of Two Soldiers In ‘The Battle Of Anghiari’ by Leonardo da Vinci
Today Kerry put Micro back by maximizing our poetry to 10 lines at toads. My choice to write about politics, about dividing lines we create these days. Not least after the news from the UK and the murder of Jo Cox.
—
June 18, 2016
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Your commentary could not come at a better time, Bjorn. It has got so that I am afraid to read the news – each day brings its own version of mayhem, it seems.
heroes are the silent ones
Yes, but sadly the villains have the loudest voices.
Division creates such destruction. Still, we insist in carving the world and its people into unequal parts…
Like Kerry, I approach the news with apprehension. It seems that every day brings something more horrible–so much death and loss and lack of humanity (or too much of a kind of humanity I can’t quite understand).
Your poem’s tone speaks of a reading clenching jaws and fists. So very appropriate at the moment. At least, I feel that way.
Democracy isn’t for, the weak of heart, as the past week, has proven, in Europe and North America. And yet, we must remain strong, in guarding this institution, if we want to live our lives, beyond the barbwires of hatred and ignorance. Bjorn, I think you missed the “n” in men, in your last line.
I actually missed the n on purpose… it was a mistake first… but I liked the fellow me..
That’s befitting.
This is a special verse,because it transcends the borders “drawn, on maps and carved through hearts”.
Powerful and hard hitting. Great job!
-HA
Powerful! Misery and mayhem, everywhere, it seems as the planet heads towards the day: democracy dies.
So much is terribly sad; not the first time for humanity to go through tough times–agh. Thanks .k .
Nice, Bjorn. Brave fellows and gals in time of need. Been that way since, … Not sure I was that brave but I gave/lost five years of my life for ours.
Oh yes, got a seventeen year career and an education from the time, a personal gain.
..
Minds are indeed separated by barbed wire fences these days… where is the end…
Ah, borders. We love them so. Religious ones, political ones, sports ones, even city ones. If only we didn’t; what sort of world would that be?
Sadly human being are failing as we thrive on greed, instability and hate. It is as though we have learned too much and are destroying ourselves by it.
The sketches are so vivid – horrifying in a way – war drawn on actual faces..sacrifices made silently..without witness.. i think the notion of borders has become so confusing..maybe we need to have one – do not hurt anyone else..
This is so very powerful, Bjorn misery coupled with mayhem can be seen everywhere I fear.
Wise words dear Björn, wise words indeed.
Anna :o]
With borders drawn, on maps and carved
through hearts, and barbed with fences, walls
and words; it’s the day democracy destroys itself
There is so much pain and sufferings that impact on the world today and 95% of the time are prompted by man’s greed. No small wonder peace talks remain so with no political will to really solve them!
Hank
Oh, may we all keep making good choices!
Well penned. And, alas, gold will – in the end – prove to be a poor substitute for the trust of friends that has been lost.
Yes, we live in a very trying time of upheaval and division, and you nail the choices here perfectly. I wish I ould look down on this world(or its wreck) a hundred years from now and see which choice won.
Definately nailed it. One hopes that the failings in the system will result in corrections later. Whether in change of office or change in hearts before the vote.
barbed walls & words indeed…
Sobering, the idea of democracy destroying itself, which is close to happening in the US. I love that “heroes are the silent ones”. I mentally compare Obama’s dignity with a certain other politician’s sound and fury. Great write, Bjorn!
Another brilliant write!
‘But you have a choice to close your mind to lies
and open doors, to comprehend that compromise
requires strength, that heroes are the silent ones.’
If we could all make that choice instead!
Bjorn, this is a marvelous poem. The line that really shook me was the one that the silent ones are the heroes. It’s so sad to me how many people don’t seem to remember this. Why is it that so many of us believe that the louder we speak, the more right we somehow are? Really confusing to me…
Heart-rendingly appropriate.
We live in such sad times, when wisdom and respect seem to have died. But not in you, and so many others like you who still treasure the goodness in humanity. This is such a timely poem Bjorn. You said so much truth in few words.
Another timely topic, well covered/written.
(jabblog here) Sobering indeed. Empty vessels make the loudest noise. This line – ‘it’s the day democracy destroys itself’ chilled me for I fear that is the way we are heading.
Must wonder about those who seem to forget that walls meant to keep others out, eventually become the walls that lock them in,
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com
Profoundly moving underneath the barbs–your pen is mighty today
We divide into our demise…It is such troubling times. No one wants to really talk, make concessions for the good of all. So sad
Yes, it’s all about choices…
borders are controversial.
https://theanimalprojectblog.wordpress.com