As The World Burns – Annette Kalandros

The world burns away

beneath a star filled sky

yet contains not the magic

light of stars or the hope

glistening like joyous delight

in the eyes of children

looking into a night sky

filled with the wonderous glow

of dreams yet to be. 

No, no dreams to be

for children grown whose

fear filled eyes 

can never see dreams

can never see what should be—

their eyes overflowing

with fear of scarcity--

this flint of fear 

igniting 

the kindling of greed

and the world—

The world burns away 

within hate,

becoming dusty ash,

for some God 

to mold again.

Annette Kalandros, a retired teacher, living in New Mexico, is honored to have work featured in the following collections: As the World Burns: Writers and Artists Reflect on a World Gone Mad. Through The Looking Glass: Reflecting on Madness and Chaos Within. The Pinecone Review: Be Proud with Pride Edition and Survival Edition. Women Speak: The Women of Appalachia Project. SETU International Magazine and Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women. Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology. My debut collection is The Gift of Mercy. You can read more of her write at https://aikalandros.com/