Motto: Writers Helping Writers

Rome Area Writers

Poetry

By Shirley Owens
Text Box: The Plight of the Eagle By Shirley Owens April 10, 2003 The eagle’s flown the coop and crossed the seas To miles of desert sands without the trees He needs to make a nest for his sojourn. With danger lurking there at every turn, He sees the ancient cities, bubbled spires, The flowing wells of oil—and base desires. He sees the people clothed in garb refined In ages past, for desert life designed. The ways and customs there are not his own, Are not the thoughts and values he has known. The eagle’s purpose is to overthrow Oppressive rulers with a fatal blow And mandate freedom for that conquered sphere With hope that liberty will persevere. He has the mighty talons made to kill And years of training to promote that skill. He knows the love of liberty in life, The joy of soaring free from fear and strife. He has no invitation, no passport, But gives his word to offer his support. With valor, courage, blood, and strength of mind, He will complete the task he was assigned, At least in part. But will the multitude Accept his forced reform with gratitude? Will they abandon birthrights to embrace A system they disdain in their disgrace? Will they arise in furious dismay To seek reprisals on some future day? How long can war-won victory endure To make our children’s children more secure? The complicated questions will remain To haunt our awesome shores with threats profane As foes attempt, well armed with terror’s art, To, piece by piece, destroy the eagle’s heart? [April, 2003: Iraqi War & Terrorism]

Thoughts for the Future

We are.

We always were.

We always will be.

 

The matter and the elements,

The atoms and the molecules,

The particles and pieces

That compose us

Have existed elsewhere since the beginning

And will continue to be recycled until the end of time.

 

The knowledge and the wisdom,

The caring and the sharing,

The love and the joy

            (or lack thereof)

That compose our minds and feelings

Have existed throughout humanity

And will in turn influence generations yet to come.

 

This is not the winter of our lives;

It is rather the time of harvest.

We have this moment.

Perhaps we have tomorrow and tomorrows.

 

For better or for worse

Influences are being recycled through our lives.

We still have time to choose.

Survival, not defeat,

Gratitude, not greed,

Kindness, not contempt.

 

We have listened to

Parents and peers

Preachers and teachers

Philosophers and friends.

Now, it’s time to listen to ourselves

And with the wisdom of our years

Discern the truths that lead

To better lives and better living,

A better us and a better world to come.

 

                                  Shirley Owens

                                  June, 1998,

                                  Written for 45th

                                  School Reunion Booklet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So faith, hope, love abide, these three, but the  greatest of these is love.

                                  1 Cor. 13:13