Hola! This poem is part of my Ars Poetica – BlogchatterA2Z 2025 series, where I explore the art of poetry through 26 stanzas, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. Every day, a new stanza unfolds, building upon the previous ones intuitively and organically. If you’re just joining in, feel free to read from the beginning or simply dive into today’s reflection on poetry.
Stanza 18 of the Ars Poetica—React or Respond?
When a person of faith
Poisons minds by choice,
Feeds ego with fear,
And burns buildings
Instead of building bridges?
Should my poem react—
Raw, raging, urgent—
Or respond—
Measured, mindful, aching with grace?
Do I raise protest
In the face of roaring injustice,
Or whisper peace
From a quiet place of pondering?
Should my words be a sword,
Or a balm?
A fist,
Or a folded palm?
React or respond—
What must a poet do
When the world is on fire
And silence, too, feels like sin?
(to be continued...)
“I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z“.
Should my words be a sword,
Or a balm?
A fist,
Or a folded palm?
Hard choices.
Yes, it’s definitely hard—and maybe that’s what makes poets a resilient breed. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by, Tomichan ji! 🙂