I wake up

to a roaring world

The air…. pungent with

confusion, injustice, hatred and pain

Raging flames sear the sky

searching for confessions

as we try not to look at those

parts of ourselves we’ve hidden

behind civilised smiles and wise expressions

This must be the walk through

the shadow of the valley of death

Goodness and mercy must surely not be  too far behind

But …. in the meantime

I’ll keep my eyes open and ignore

the bleeding from my ears

as the world roars at me

© Vivian Zems

Writer’s Pantry #22