sleep to dream
of better days
humankind is
a subjectivity
to strangeness
a sense of knowing
a desire
to have it all
an absurdist chance
an unbearable burden
a gift
a curse
it shines
as the light
at the end
of the world
when the day is done
we will go
back home
we will turn
to ash and dust
we will make out
the swinging pendulums
in the sky
and everything left
undone
will be seen
tumbling
across the grasses
swirling above
and below
far away
out of reach
through the clouds
humankind is
a raised hand
an arched brow
a brush of shoulders
a nod hello
a collision car
a mountain
a slackened mouth
an endless waterfall
a critical hit
to the gut
a breathless noise
in the silence
a helpless cry
in the night
a pair of wringing hands
all alone
shared smiles
in a familiar place
warmth
on a face
a hand
in another’s
it is comfort
and doubt
motion
and stillness
all the same
it is grandiose dreams
in our minds
that once swam
through the great blue seas
but now tread water
instead
just to stay afloat
it is life
and the death
that comes
before it is over
humankind is
a miracle
a mistake
the way that it is
screaming matches
in the streets
eager eyes
picket signs
crumpled sheets
buildings turned
to rubble
children turned
to corpses
laughing faces
sneers
and snide smiles
tears
turned heads
fascination
sadness
numbness
and hope
despite the horrors
of each dawn
we feel it still
we sleep
to dream
and we awake again
in the morning
humankind is
insatiable
endlessly wanting
repulsive
and foolish
hypocrisy personified
it is
a screech of joy
a need to please
ecstatic nods
throwing ourselves
down every hole
clawing away
at the self
it is both
a vicious bite
like a beast’s
and the gunshot
that halts its crush
it is
amazing
and horrific
to wade throughout
this world
lost
and lonely
alone
yet never so
humankind is
a clock’s spin
a time bomb
a hug around your neck
a golden sheen
as the world fades
a spirit bond of sorts
an outstretched hand
in the dark
billions of mix and match souls
living by different principles
yet living
all the same
even when
pain rears its ugly head
doubt gnashes its teeth
and peace within the self
feels like waiting for war
we sleep
we dream
of better days
About the Creator
angela hepworth
Hello! I’m Angela and I enjoy writing fiction, poetry, reviews, and more. I delve into the dark, the sad, the silly, the sexy, and the stupid. Come check me out!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
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Comments (8)
This is a great read!
Living on this is world its living like on a paradox mind. A beatiful message behind too.
Sounds like you've read a lot of history too.
Stunning, Angela. “billions of mix and match souls living by different principles” is my favourite line among many!
One heck of a poem, Angela, beautiful work. Congratulations on your top story!🌹
You put us through a myriad of human experience in one poem!!!👏👏
Damn, this is stunning Angela. As Sandy said that sometimes being alive and here and present is miraculous in itself. Contemplation can be a powerful aid in making sense of stuff. Sometimes it never makes sense though .congrats on Top Story!
This is a beautiful reminder that even amid madness, there’s still wonder in simply being.