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Rett

Oct 03, 2008 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Plague

Plague

The stars are glowing coals
On a sky that's burned out
While a curtain of smoke
Is billowing from the south

The fiery orb of summer
Has dipped beneath the trees
As I kneel here praying
Upon my battered knees

God forgive my trespasses
Look into my soul
The night is growing dimmer
My thoughts growing cold

The wailing of the widows
The crying of the child
The stench of burning bodies
The sickness going wild

Bodies piled like cordwood
Upon funeral pyres
Smoke coils up greasily
From the myriad fires

Ravaged stands this land
Plague no one escapes
Young and old are taken
In sorrow my head shakes

Black the night around us
My strength is at end
Just one old country doctor
No way for me to win

Blessed be our father
As he looks down on me
Take this my mortal body
My staff of life is thee

I've no strength left to rise
I lay upon the ground
I have given all I had
So now I lay me down....

— Rett, Oct 03, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Southern Texas, USA

Favorite Poets: Dickenson, Longfellow

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Critiques

17 years 8 months ago

Plague

Smiles:) Barbara nicely done the plague really ravage it victims here in a well written poetic nightmare. A plague like diseases or this worlds corruption eats alive its victims. really good, flowed well like the river.

17 years 8 months ago

Thank you Barbara

Yes, a plague is exactly like that. I appreciate it my friend. Respectfully, Rett: "Two things stand in the way of a liberal doing what he thinks is best for people. One, he doesn't have enough power and two, we have too much freedom. If he figures out how to overcome either then we are in real trouble." Rett

17 years 8 months ago

Rett

Ever read the book "The Secret Garden" by Francis Hodgson Burnett? This poem reminded me of the opening chapter where everyone was dying of the cholera. Quite a powerful write, my friend. ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- "If you've ever emptied the back of your pickup truck by driving backward really fast and slamming on the brakes, you might be a redneck" - Jeff Foxworthy Bill Engvall: "that's how we moved"

17 years 8 months ago

Jess K.

Yep, have read the book and saw the movie, book is better as usual. Glad you enjoyed the write. Respectfully, Rett: "Two things stand in the way of a liberal doing what he thinks is best for people. One, he doesn't have enough power and two, we have too much freedom. If he figures out how to overcome either then we are in real trouble." Rett

17 years 8 months ago

Now this is the wordcraftsmanship that characterises

the best of your poetry. It's no mean feat to write with power and dignity in rhyme. I would urge you to go back to "Five Days Straight" and apply the same level of excellence. cheers, Jess

17 years 8 months ago

Thank you Jess

And you are right. Five days straight need work. I was still so tired when I wrote it I could hardly type. Will get to it and I really appreciate the honesty you show in your reviews. Respectfully, Rett: "Two things stand in the way of a liberal doing what he thinks is best for people. One, he doesn't have enough power and two, we have too much freedom. If he figures out how to overcome either then we are in real trouble." Rett

LD

leonard daranjo

17 years 8 months ago

Hi Rett

As usual, mellifluous rhythm interlaced with powerful images - an eloquent tapestry indeed. Leonard

17 years 8 months ago

Thank you Leonard

I appreciate it. Eloquent, I am not sure, but I was trying to do it in the tone of an pld country doctor who has literally worked himself to death trying to save or confort people and is near his end. Glad you found it readable. Respectfully, Rett: "We can all be thankful that Picasso wasn't a plastic surgeon." Rett

A

amalzamani

17 years 8 months ago

V. Depressing

...yet v. well expressed. you seem like describing a real event in this poem!...are you? My favorite stanza? The fiery orb of summer Has dipped beneath the trees As I kneel here praying Upon my battered knees enjoyable read...thank you Rett

17 years 8 months ago

Amalzamani

I guess in some respects it is a real event. I have read news stories and biographies of plagues in America and other places in the world so it is a bit of a take on " What if it was an old country doctor were in that situation?" Thank you very much. That particular stanza is my on personal favorite also. Respectfully, Rett: "We can all be thankful that Picasso wasn't a plastic surgeon." Rett

yenti

17 years 8 months ago

Well Well

Obviously with the Plague one is not well, Brett this was really a great piece to read, thank you it was there. People like Nostrodamas he was a Dr and went from his home to treat the plague victims and while he was away his wife and child died of the same. We have two plagues running riot at the moment one is Complacency and the other is AIDS Both are unstopable and probably both are man made, Thanks again, Yours, Ian.T

17 years 8 months ago

I agree Ian

Complacency is running rampant and is deffinately man made. Aids is also running rampant, but I seem to remember hearing they traced it back to infected monkeys and was spread to humans by eating the brains of the infected ones and then spread through humans via sex and other things. So, I guess in effect it is man-made from the standpoint of unprotected sex and blood transfusions. I remember reading that about Nostradamus. It happened an awful lot back then and even today, it sometimes happens. Thanks for reading and for your very astute comments. Respectfully, Rett: "We can all be thankful that Picasso wasn't a plastic surgeon." Rett

R

17 years 8 months ago

Rett

It's 7am about to run to the door, the start of another day,(work) about to shut down, (Pc)and was urged to check the spotlight, THIS IS OUTSTANDING....pure magic, sorry to be repeating others but when something is so good, it's hard to find words, other than quite Brilliant, Our Aussie friend's (Jess) remarks are quite apt, and very fitting.... BW my Friend........Deepest regards Peter..... no opinions........can't change what is perfect....(WHY) Kudos ~~~"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday, and I love today."~~~

17 years 8 months ago

Thank you very much my friend

Very glad you liked this one. I was rather proud of the editing job I did on it. Worked on this one for a couple of months until I got it the way I wanted. I appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment. Respectfully, Rett: "We can all be thankful that Picasso wasn't a plastic surgeon." Rett

17 years 8 months ago

Or Love in the Time of

Or Love in the Time of Cholera? Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Truly eloquent and elegant poem Rett. One form of poetry I'll probably never master.. and you do it so easily... ~A

17 years 8 months ago

Thank you Anna

I guess, especially for these times, I have a weird turn of mind. I think in rhyme sometimes. I am sure that someone who writes as well as you could do it as well or better than I in no time. I appreciate it. Respectfully, Rett: "We can all be thankful that Picasso wasn't a plastic surgeon." Rett

17 years 8 months ago

Rett

Almost missed this one. Very Poewerful write. "There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you." Will Rogers

17 years 8 months ago

Thank you Janice

Glad you found it so. Respectfully, Rett: "We can all be thankful that Picasso wasn't a plastic surgeon." Rett

17 years 2 months ago

Plague

Just came back and re-read this Rett. Brought chills to my spine very fine write. I must compliment you once again! ______________________________________________________ Income-tax forms should be more realistic by allowing the taxpayer to list "Uncle Sam" as a dependent Anonymous

17 years 2 months ago

Awww, thanks again Janice

I appreciate it. One of my better ones. I enjoy reading this one myself. Glad you did too. Respectfully, Rett: "Next time you think you're perfect, walk on water." "A Democracy can withstand anything but Democrats." Robert A. Heinlein

17 years 2 months ago

Thanks so much Janice

Very glad you liked this. I guess that my strong point in poetry is story telling as that is what usually gets the most comments and suggestion. I appreciate it my friend. Respectfully, Rett: "A Democracy can withstand anything but Democrats." Robert A. Heinlein For the sake of children, read this. http://www.neopoet.com/node/19905

J

JoJo

17 years 2 months ago

Amazing!

Rett, once again I am amazed at your talent/gift. Each time you put pen to paper another poet is inspired. Thank you for my inspiration, today.

17 years 2 months ago

Jo Jo

Thanks so much for the kind words. No words can express thanks like someone being inspired by something you write. If it leads to another poem then that is wonderful too. I appreciate it so much! Respectfully, Rett: "A Democracy can withstand anything but Democrats." Robert A. Heinlein For the sake of children, read this. http://www.neopoet.com/node/19905