THE VANISHING
By Andrew Mercer
Andrew Mercer has written a magnificent poem – The Vanishing – which is so profoundly intelligent that it should be on the “must read” list of every compassionate and caring person. It reaches into the very depth of the soul and forces us to question how we are living in the world.
It is for anyone who is yearning to see an enlightened global consciousness and a brighter future for our beautiful planet – and the incredible creatures with whom we share it. I urge you to read this – and to really think deeply about the implications – if we as humans do not wake up – stand up and strive to change our ways. Everyone can do something.
I thank Andrew for the incredible gift he has given us through the power of his intensely moving words!
The Vanishing
AND BEAUTY WEARS A COUNTENANCE
WITH THE RADIANCE OF BIRTH.
LIKE A NEW-BORN SCREAMS IN COLOURS
ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF THE EARTH.
A WORLD WHERE ALL LIFE LISTENS TO
A RHYTHM LIKE A WAVE.
WHICH GATHERS SOUND AND BREAKS UPON
THIS ABUNDANCE THAT GOD GAVE.
EVERY LIFE A CELEBRATION
EVERY VOICE WAS RAISED IN SONG.
EVERY ANGEL HELD THE MELODY
IN HEARTS THAT KNEW NO WRONG.
HEAVEN SMILED UPON CREATION
AND THE CHILDREN SAW THE STARS.
THEY LAUGHED WITH ALL THE INNOCENCE
THAT ONLY HATRED MARS.
RESPECT FOR EVERY LIVING THING
AN OATH THE LIVING TOOK.
BUT MAN NOW SWORE WITH OTHERS BLOOD
HIS GUILTY FINGERS SHOOK.
THESE STORMS HAVE RAGED A THOUSAND YEARS
WITH NATURE ON HER KNEES.
HER CHILDREN SCREAM FROM HEADSETS
THROUGH THE SILENCE OF CUT TREES.
EACH TIME WE HACK A FOREST DOWN
WE’RE CHIPPING AT OUR SOUL.
BURNING ON THIS FUNERAL PYRE
WE WATCH IT TURN TO COAL.
NOW BLOOD SEEPS FROM THE HEAVENS
WILL IT DROWN OUR LAST SUNSET.
ABSORBING EVERY COLOUR ‘TIL
WE’RE LEFT WITH BLEAK REGRET.
ON THE BAKING EARTH A MESSAGE
A TIRED MANTRA TO EMBRACE.
WRITTEN IN THE BONES OF THOSE
WHOSE LIVES WE CAN’T REPLACE.
AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TO FOLLOW
THROW DUST INTO THE AIR.
FOR EVERY GRAIN THAT WAS A LIFE
BEFORE MAN CEASED TO CARE!
AND MEMORIES AS OLD AS LIFE
CAUGHT WITHIN THIS FRAME.
MOZAICS OF A PROUDER TIME
DIVERSE YET STILL THE SAME.
A VOICE THAT TOLD OF CYCLES
OF GROWTH WITHIN DECAY.
WHERE DEATH AND BIRTH PERPETUATE
WHERE NIGHT CONSUMES EACH DAY.
A CADENCE FOR EACH SEASON
A RHYTHM FROM THE PAST.
EACH SPECIES DANCES ITS OWN STEPS
THAT SHOULD FOREVER LAST.
A BALANCE FOR EACH LIVING THING
WHERE ALL THINGS PLAY THEIR PART.
WHERE THE EBB AND FLOW ETERNALLY
BRINGS THE END BACK TO THE START.
WHAT PUNISHMENT SHALL FIT THIS CRIME?
FOR THE TREACHERY AND LYING.
THE HOURGLASS IS FILLED WITH BONES
WHERE SAND POURS ON THE DYING.
AND AFRICA A SKELETON
AGAINST A SICKLE MOON.
POINTING AT THIS KILLING GROUND
A PORTENT OF OUR DOOM.
A DESERT FULL OF EMPTINESS
STILL ECHOES WITH THE PAIN.
AND VOICES TRAPPED IN CRUELTY
CALL OUT THROUGH THE RAIN.
THE SILENCE JUST HOLDS FRAGMENTS
STILL QUESTIONING THE PAST.
LIKE PICTURES FADE TO NOTHINGNESS
THE DREAM COULD NEVER LAST.
OUR LIVES DEVOID OF MEANING
WHAT’S LOST SHALL NOT BE FOUND.
UNTIL SOMEHOW OUR SPIRITS FIND
WHATS BURIED IN THIS GROUND.
SO TELL YOUR CHILDREN FAIRY TALES
AS THE TEARS FALL ON THE PAGE.
WHEN WE KILLED WHAT MADE US HUMAN
TO EMBRACE AN EMPTY AGE.
WHEN THE YEARS HAVE FILLED EACH HOOFPRINT
WITH THE DUST THAT ONCE WAS BONE.
THE DRY WIND WILL STILL REMIND US
WE SHALL ALWAYS BE ALONE!
Keep the wisdom of The Vanishing close to your soul – and always remember what we are striving for – with each shared idea and every changed heart. We can make a difference for the animals – one step at a time!
Rosemary Wright
Caring Animal Blogger
Blog: www.abeatingheart.ca
E-Mail: mail@abeatingheart.ca
