Envy’s silent ember
burns every cell-
miasma of stale rancor emits-
from nostrils, mouth
and every pore-
then slowly spirals up-
to engulf the earth
wholly.
Death chuckles
licking up blood.
I sit
almost dazed-
in this world of Hollowmen
without breathing
being stifled-
without seeing
being blinded-
without praying
words being broken,
melted and vaporized.
I wonder how much hatred a man could carry to crush more than 80 people and wounding a hundred….
Posted for Sanaa’s Prompt Nights _ Hate’s a parasite that rots the Soul – [22] @ A Dash Of Sunny
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Shared with Poetry Pantry @ Poets United
sumanar/lekha 
This is soo touching, Sumana and quite a timely write. It is said that negative emotions like hatred attempt to destroy our peace of mind and further lead to chaos and destruction. Beautifully poignant. Thank you so much for participating at Prompt Nights and for your constant and support.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Most creatures lean from their mistakes, mankind however keeps repeating theirs. What truly significant and telling poem this is.
It does feel like the world is full of hatred and hollow men and yet perhaps all we can hope is that there are more good people than bad.. and hopefully more kindness than hatred
So much blood licked up through hatred! I cannot understand either how one can be so consumed with hatred that one would commit such an act! Horrific.
Such strong work. I can’t understand that level of hatred either.
Feeling your brain numbing incredulity. I think it is impossible to even to try and understand the rationalisation of such an act XXX
Your poem voices my feelings, Sumana. There is so much I can’t understand in the day some individuals are treating other people. I often tell myself that this has to be a sickness, that it can’t just be dislike that grows into something unimaginably rotten…
I, too, wonder what goes so wrong in a mind, in a heart… to drive a person to such measures.
Beautiful piece, Sumana! Those who follow a group based on unfounded hate are Hollowmen as you described. I believe they are brainwashed and have erased their ability to feel empathy.
I wonder the same thing, Sumana. The idea of Hollowmen is apt – for beings of compassion and emotion could not do such things. I resonate with Josslyn’s comment.
“I sit
almost dazed-
in this world of Halloween” So often I sit and feel exactly this. We are one here in our thoughts, yours so beautifully written and so true.
A powerful response to an unbelievable situation.
words being broken,
melted and vaporized.
With the venom thrown around, the words used were often not printable. One just cringed at the intensity! Very well expressed Sumana!
Hank
A lament we all share. Why?
When I was reading the news, I cannot understand why it happened. From a celebration to tragedy. You have a very powerful poem here Sumana, I can feel every word and thank you for expressing what most of us feel. The last two lines are particularly strong.
A world that seems to be in a downward spiral… there are many questions to be answered…the words of reason do seem to have vapourized.
being blinded-
without praying
words being broken,
melted and vaporized.
I think this sums up how we all feel – lost, confused, speechless.
I wonder how to stop a hatred, where it only takes a single person to suck up the words that’s spilled in streams.. I wonder what we will see..
we really cannot understand the mind of such a person. 😦
Your poem makes me feel the victims hatred captures–to do the hating and to be smothered by it. The crushing is incomprehensible, but your poem describes the evil thoroughly. A masterpiece!
Wow!
Such a wonderful and telling write, the question asked but can any human give the answer.?
Hatred is a mystery to those of us learning to love. Your poem bleeds in my heart Sumana and your question remains unanswered.
Your description “envy burning every cell” Wow, right to the point. Really enjoyed reading this piece.
Sadly it does not take much hate to move these people. This is such a powerful piece Sumana….with the Hallowmen, I almost believe there is evil and no reason…so much more powerful than hate.
It’s frightening how much hatred one human being can hold…
Powerful lines of poetry that really pack an impassioned, emotional punch. You’ve incorporated some interesting word smithing and random rhyme in this poem, that adds to the reader’s sense that this is a piece that was thoughtfully crafted . . . an important piece.
A great write! I feel so sad at these challenging times.
You express so much of the sadness and confusion we all have when horrible things happen.
Hello! I found this to be the most powerful piece, and so beautifully crafted, of all I’ve read for this prompt. Absolutely stellar–Bravo!!
Phew that was incredible!!
I can’t imagine but such is the force of hatred and evil. A powerful write Sumana.
And I sit here transfixed!!!