Hope is defined as; to desire with the expectation of fulfillment. I define it quite simply as faith. I wait expectantly for many good things to happen in this world, and more than anything I daily hope that good will triumph over evil. I do not hope in vain; I expect it to happen.
Hoping
I turn on the news
Two or three times a day
Hoping… but always disappointed
He’s still here
Spouting his lies and laughing
Doing whatever he desires to do
Daring anyone to get in his way
Much less try to stop him
Soldiers die for… freedom?
Babies are killed by the millions
Children are slaughtered in their schools
Buildings are bombed
Hard to tell what’s real these days
Movies, games, real life
All the same
Filled with death and evil
And yet… he struts among the chaos
Pretending to console the heartbroken
Vowing to see justice done
To prevent it ever happening again
Shedding a tear and nodding solemnly
Laughing on the inside
As a mother wails
Where is God?
The guns are blamed
Though… the triggers are pulled by men
God is blamed
Though… He is said to not exist
I am blamed
Though… only because I disagree
I turn on the news
Hoping… but again disappointed
Flip through the channels
Finding him on every station… smiling
Eyes burning bright with hateful glee
Knowing he rules the world
Knowing I’m watching
Knowing I hate him
And someone says
But you must turn the other cheek
You must love your enemy
And do unto others
As you would have them
Do unto you
And so…
I watch the devil dance
And keep hoping
Copyright © 2012 C Mashburn
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Aria said
Wrote a similar piece myself just yesterday. Yes. He is still here.
charlesmashburn said
I’ll go read yours now. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
vivinfrance said
I can’t find the right words to comment on this powerful piece. But it goes deep.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for reading, Viv!
r2a2r2j258 said
..TV does let us know about the evils men do, ASAP, unlike in other eras of history, but I am not sure whether man has changed any throughout history and are we behaving any better or worse, or do we just communicate evil and maybe glorify it much faster. Certainly, our techniques for performing evil deeds has become more efficient. and certainly, the world of communications belongs to man as is evidenced by what is communicated and glorified. And I am so sorry to hear it also, but if I have to know what is on the worldly world news tonight, I’m going to keep crafting somebody something, i.e., knitting and afghan or something to make somebody happy in some future moment, because it is All I can do and pray because it is Everything I can do. Merry Christmas
charlesmashburn said
I agree, and have commented in other articles, that nothing much has changed–referring mainly to the hearts of men and the evil therein. And, as you allude, the technology has put it into warp speed. Thanks for the visit and comment.
Daydreamertoo said
I think it’s always in our nature to be barbaric. If we had a huge calamity it would take less than a week for law and order to be a memory and only those with the strongest stomach’s to survive. We’ve always been evil, some of us managed to climb out of the pit and become mostly civilised and domesticated but, the more isolated we become through our technology, the worse we seem to have become for taking care of one another too.
Powerful writing Charles. There is good and evil in all of us, it depends on which we allow to dominate, I guess.
charlesmashburn said
All true. And, as is true in most things, yes, we must choose.
brian miller said
i hope as well…and in light of the tragedies that keep occuring we see what happens in a world that in many ways turns their back on god…this is not an easy life…that was never promised…and so we hope for that better day…i feel your angst man…
charlesmashburn said
Turning your back on God is a lot like socialism. It looks great, sounds great, but in the end… not so great. Bottom line is, when you do the math, neither one pencils out.
jelillie said
This is a strong word Charles. The days of grace are shortening and the prophecies of the end are upon us. As we walk towards them we must guard our hearts knowing that the increase of wickedness will threaten to make our love grow cold.
charlesmashburn said
I do my best to stay focused on God and try to encourage others to do the same.
Heaven (@asweetlust) said
There is so much evil in this world and he will always be around. But I have hope in goodness and kindness inside the hearts of men ~
Hope you are well Charles ~
Grace
charlesmashburn said
There is goodness, and it will win in the end.
Sherry Mashburn said
WOW . . .
Powerful
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
Mary said
Charles, the devils will always continue to dance. We cannot stop this, but we can recognize them as the enemy despite the ‘finery’ they present themselves in!
charlesmashburn said
I agree, Mary. They used to wear disguises, but they no longer feel the need for them.
ManicDdaily said
Not quite sure what to make of this poem, Charles. Certainly a lot of evil in the world; love doesn’t go wrong. I agree that men pull triggers, but would sure like it if there were few triggers available so easily for them to pull. k.
ManicDdaily said
PS – note that I say this having buried my father’s ashes at Arlington Cemetery this past Friday, my very very close relative in Afghanistan right now, my husband a hunter who gets at least one buck a year. k.
markwindham said
well said sir. hope indeed, seems to be all we can fall back on…
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Mark. I appreciate the visit and comment.
lenwilliamscarver said
Very powerful and so true. I try to always look for the good of others but there are times when someone shows their true colors and I have to take a step back, when I do my mantra is “I rebuke you Satan, your a liar and I have read the last chapter haha I know what happens to you!” Doesn’t do much for people like the Lanza kid at Newtown but it helps my heart.
charlesmashburn said
I know what you mean, Len. The crowd behind me is growing fast.
Kelvin S.M. said
…aww, very powerful and simple write… excellent!
smiles,,,
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Kelvin.
ayala said
A powerful write, tough times… So much sadness.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Ayala.
Sabio Lantz said
“Hoping” is fine, as long as it stirs you or others into action instead of taking no action. For in the end, we have each other.
charlesmashburn said
True. Thanks, Sabio.
wolfsrosebud said
so complete in every way… nice Charles
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
kimnelsonwrites said
Which is why, Charles, I said early-on, “I can only take so much.” And I leave the TV off.
charlesmashburn said
I agree 100%. The turning on the news was a prop, so to speak. I seldom do it any more.
hypercryptical said
Thoughtful words Charles.
It does appear the devil has the upper-hand in life – and perhaps always has. Is the devil really only a convenient label for the evil actions of mankind I wonder?
Anna
charlesmashburn said
I think you could be right about what he is.
catnipoflife said
Really don’t even like to turn on the news any more. And the TV/movies…violence and more violence upon violence which initiates further violence. No wonder our nation, perhaps I should say the world, is in a state of madness. The devil is not only dancing, he is laughing, laughing.
charlesmashburn said
Yes’m. That’s the sad truth of it.