PhoebeMD Poetry Blog Ballad of Hope PoemAll Poetry

A Ballad of Hope Amid a Time of Crisis

By Forrest Rivers | Featured Author


The year was 2020.

The world was plagued by a pandemic
that inflicted mass casualties
across the land.

But set against this backdrop
of death, fear and deprivation,

A movement of higher consciousness
was well underway.

Driven into isolation
to control the deadly virus,

Citizens of the world
came to have gratitude

for all the little things
they had taken for granted:

Smiles from passing strangers,
Sentimental hugs,
Uplifting time spent with
dear friends and family

And the sweet joys of
live song and dance

Were all things sorely
missed and remembered

Nostalgically….

Such expressions of gratitude,
So intrinsic to what it means to be human,
Triggered cosmic waves
Of beautiful but unintended consequences.
And inner reflection became a powerful tool
to confront despair for many more.
The ancient practice of meditation
underwent a resurgence

As did faithful prayer and mindful attention
To each passing moment
And, the spirit of service
That was heartlessly neglected
by society for far too long

Began bubbling within the hearts
of each man, woman and child

once more….

Finally,
The day came
when it was safe for all
to emerge from their houses,

But when they re-entered the storm of form,
What they found was not
the same world as before…

Inwardly,
Humanity had awakened from its stupor
of vanity, greed and self-absorption
Upon entering this new world,
every step felt lighter
And the sun seemed to shine
with a greater luminosity
To herald the coming
of mankind’s arrival
And to celebrate
Its most profound realization yet:
All things in life are one
And filled with the eternal bliss of the Universe
The age of crisis had given way
To mankind’s enlightenment
And the old adage that darkness gives way to light
Assumed a new and precious meaning

In this sacred season of spiritual revival.


Author Bio

PhoebeMD Poetry Blog Guest Author

Forrest Rivers is a teacher, author and inspirational speaker. He is the author of the book, The Hippie Revival and Collected Writings. Forest is a passionate advocate for peace and the sacredness of the Earth. When he is not teaching, writing or speaking, he can be found hiking in the Colorado Rockies where he lives.

Blog: ForrestRivers.com
Emailforrestrivers4@gmail.com


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