Poetry Friday ~ The Day After

1 May

Hi, everyone! Happy 1st Day of May!

Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No. 175, Theme Prompt. This month’s theme is: “The Day After” chosen by Elizabeth from Tea & Paper (Blog)

Photograph by Jr Korpa

The Day After

As we hike through the wounded city

We search for something live and bright

Any remnant that we once

existed in the flesh

my ghost finds nothing

except the clear

evidence

that we’re

gone.

Photgraph by Clement Falize

Brilliant scientists

experiment in lab coats

doomed us all to hell

“This is the way the world ends,

not with a bang, but a gasp.”

I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but for a while now I’ve been reading about how scientists are working with microorganisms to engineer them to perform certain tasks. There’s good that could come from this, for instance, if a bacteria was to be engineered to locate and kill only cancer cells in a person’s body, leaving the healthy cells alone. If this works, other microorganisms could be used in the same way to rid the body of many diseases. Things can go horribly wrong, though. So many discoveries and inventions were made for the good of the people only to end up in the wrong hands and used for atrocities –– just ask Einstein. I know this all reads like the premise to a Sci-fi novel, but once scientists discovered how to read and map a strand of DNA they’ve been busy experimenting with things we can’t even imagine. Who knows what they’re cooking up in those labs? Like maybe a solution to the overpopulation problem no one wants to talk about. Like maybe engineer a virus that can target the old and diseased, and kill them by the thousands? That can certainly solve the overpopulation problem in the world while maintaining the young and strong safe. After all, they are the future.

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74 Responses to “Poetry Friday ~ The Day After”

  1. Soooz May 1, 2020 at 5:02 pm #

    Such a thoughtful post and a moving poem, Vashti. The future of our species is enshrouded in a deep dense fog. I have asked myself the same questions, my friend, and not one of the possible answers I came up with let me sleep well at night. A new world order awaits us. 😢

    Liked by 5 people

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    • Vashti Q May 1, 2020 at 5:37 pm #

      Hello, my friend! I don’t know why our governments insist on treating us as if we’re all a bunch of dimwits. There’ll definitely be changes after all of this is over, and not everyone will benefit or be pleased by them. What can we do but wait and pray? :/ ❤ xo

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  2. Linda Mims May 1, 2020 at 5:17 pm #

    Vashti, you’re not alone in this thinking and we know truth is stranger than fiction. Would the young eat their elders, though? This kind of devious thinking would come from a group of greedy, powerful old billionaires in my novel.

    Liked by 4 people

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    • Vashti Q May 1, 2020 at 5:50 pm #

      I don’t blame the general public for any of this. Although, there are many who turn a blind eye. I believe you’re right, it’s the rich and powerful 1% who control everything, and there isn’t enough of anything in the world to fill the gaping holes in their chests. ❤ xo

      Liked by 3 people

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  3. Linda Mims May 1, 2020 at 5:19 pm #

    Forgot to say your poetry was Awesome! Stimulating! Sent me off on a rant. That’s good.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 1, 2020 at 5:51 pm #

      Yay! Ha, ha. I’m happy you like it. 😀

      Like

      Reply
  4. Stephen Geez May 1, 2020 at 5:40 pm #

    Way cool, Vashti! I’m getting to where I look forward to these. Keep it up.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Vashti Q May 1, 2020 at 5:54 pm #

      Hi, Stephen! What a super cool thing to say. Thank you. I’m happy you enjoyed the post. 😀 xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. John W. Howell May 1, 2020 at 5:57 pm #

    Excellent, Vashti. You will make a fine conspiracy poet laureate. Have a great weekend.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  6. Jill Weatherholt May 1, 2020 at 6:14 pm #

    Great poem and reflections, Vashti!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. coldhandboyack May 1, 2020 at 9:34 pm #

    It sounds to me like you’re on the cusp of becoming a science fiction author yourself. I think you’d be good at it.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 2:48 am #

      Hi, Craig! That’s so kind of you to say. I’ve written a couple of short stories, but a full sci-fi novel is intimidating. Maybe if I write enough short stories I’ll someday gain the courage to write a full novel. I do enjoy reading science fiction. Thanks for the encouragement, my friend❣️

      Liked by 2 people

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    • Vashti Q May 21, 2020 at 3:19 pm #

      I agree. 😉

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  8. Olga Nunez Miret May 2, 2020 at 12:57 am #

    Great poems! I guess there are people who think nature is turning its back on us and reclaiming Earth back. Certain things are impossible to control. We are guests here, but pretty bad guests. Take care, Vashti!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 2:50 pm #

      Hi, Olga! We’re horrible guests on this planet. We behave more like a viral plague than the coronavirus does. :/ You’re right, certain things are out of our control. Thank you, my friend! Stay safe and healthy! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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  9. Adele Marie May 2, 2020 at 3:24 am #

    I am on the same wavelength as you, Vashti. A stark poem for the reality we all face today. xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 9:11 am #

      Hi, Adele! Always happy to hear from you. I hope you’re safe and healthy. I’m glad we’re on the same page. These are such bizarre and trying times. Take care and enjoy your weekend!🥰

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. Annette Rochelle Aben May 2, 2020 at 7:55 am #

    that gave me pause! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 9:14 am #

      Hi, Annette! We all need a moment to consider the possibilities. Stay safe and healthy❣️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. karenringalls May 2, 2020 at 11:20 am #

    I will be pondering over your poem and excerpt all day. Excellent!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 2:53 pm #

      Thank you, Karen! It’s good to take time and ponder on current events. ❤

      Like

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  12. Miriam Hurdle May 2, 2020 at 11:39 am #

    Science is good but can be horrible when manipulated by power. We see society discriminates certain population such as dumping the mentally ill on the street. What if the government tried to rid them with something? The statistics showed certain ethnic groups have more deaths from the current virus. A terrible thought came to my mind already that certain power could use the virus as a weapon. I don’t want to go on with the thought. 😱

    Have a great weekend. 😍

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 3:11 pm #

      I’m glad you mentioned these things, Miriam. Once a microorganism can be engineered it can also be weaponized to target a certain group of people. A holocaust can have many faces. I don’t want to freak you out, but we should discuss everything and anything to create awareness and make people think.

      Liked by 2 people

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      • Soooz May 2, 2020 at 3:33 pm #

        👍

        Liked by 1 person

      • Miriam Hurdle May 2, 2020 at 6:07 pm #

        You’re right, Vashti. I didn’t want to mention it to give the idea to the wrong people, but if I can think of it, anyone else could. Yes, as one of your comments said that reality could be more scary than Sci-fi.

        Liked by 2 people

  13. balroop2013 May 2, 2020 at 11:58 am #

    Science fiction that dwells on dystopia doesn’t resonate with me. I turn my face toward Mother Nature to uplift my thoughts. I am a robust optimist…believe in phoenix.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 3:19 pm #

      Hi, Balroop! I’m an optomist and a realist. Being in the medical field opens your eyes to real posibilities that many people can’t and won’t consider. Mother Earth is flourishing in our absence. She doesn’t need us, but we need her. I don’t believe this pandemic was an accident – there are too many variables that say different. That does not make me a negative person, it makes me a person with eyes wide open. I believe we’ll make it through this, but things will be different. Hopefully we’ve learned enough good lessons, and the changes will be mostly good. Then we can all rise like the phoenix. ❤

      Liked by 3 people

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  14. Natalie Ducey May 2, 2020 at 12:20 pm #

    Much to reflect on, Vashti. Huge (((hugs))) to you… and your poem is brilliant. Stay well, my friend. xo

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 3:22 pm #

      Hi, Natalie! I love to make people think. I enjoy having discussions and debates, and reading everyone’s opinions even if they’re different from mine. That’s okay. I love it! Enjoy your weekend, my friend. ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

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  15. yvettemcalleiro May 2, 2020 at 1:02 pm #

    I’m with you, girl. For every brilliant mind looking to do good, there is a sinister mind looking to do evil or at least profit off of the newest creation. We need an energy shift in our world that focuses on the whole community looking out for one another instead of simply looking out for one’s self.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 5:12 pm #

      Hi, Yvette! We do need an energy shift, and hopefully, after this experience most people will be up for that. We need more courageous souls willing to speak out and get the masses thinking. We can’t continue to allow politicians to get away with everything. Come on people! Ha, ha. Thank you for the awesome comment. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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  16. D.L. Finn, Author May 2, 2020 at 1:34 pm #

    A very timely poem, Vashti. I’ve been feeling a bit of that. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out this was a experiment gone bad….or good in their minds. Have a great weekend xo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 5:18 pm #

      Hi, Denise! I believe there’s some significant experimenting going on, and it isn’t just in one country either, there are many countries involved in this. It’s a race to develop the most efficient biological weapon. :/
      Have a fabulous weekend, my friend! ❤ xo

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  17. Jan Sikes May 2, 2020 at 4:17 pm #

    I love the poem, and the picture that follows. It says SO much. You are not alone with your ponderings about what really goes on in laboratories, or behind the scenes in general. I feel like, for the most part, we are kept in the dark. I do believe we are moving toward one world, good or bad.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Vashti Q May 2, 2020 at 5:31 pm #

      Hi, Jan! I believe you’re right, we are kept in the dark about a plethora of undertakings. One world sounds divine in theory, but what does it mean exactly? Does it mean one religion for all? One government? If so, what religion out of millions, and who will choose how we worship? People better be careful what they wish for. 😉 ❤

      Liked by 2 people

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      • Jan Sikes May 2, 2020 at 6:16 pm #

        Exactly! I don’t see that it will be for the good of all.

        Liked by 1 person

    • Vashti Q May 4, 2020 at 4:10 pm #

      Sadly, I don’t see it either. It may sound good in theory, but it’s a whole other thing in practice.

      Like

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  18. Colleen M. Chesebro May 3, 2020 at 2:24 pm #

    Aww, Sis. I’ve had conspiracy theories running through my mind for a while now. What if the racist president found the directions for the virus in a cache of Hitler’s papers? It sounds like a scary novel, right? I don’t think we are being told the truth. The number of deaths is fudged, as well. I think the virus started last fall. People were not paying attention. Many doctors knew something was going on but didn’t alert the CDC. I also feel like the mother goddess could have allowed this virus to propagate as a way of cleansing the earth. Who knows for sure? All we can do is stay safe, follow precautions, and care for others. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q May 4, 2020 at 4:29 pm #

      I agree, Sis. This coronavirus event has been suspect from the beginning. I believe the different governments of the world are on a race to see who develops the best biological weapon. Biochemical engineers already exist. These engineers combine knowledge of biology, chemistry and engineering to create products from raw natural materials. Read that again. They apply technological advancements to biological materials. They don’t need the Hitler’s playbook because they have their own modern version Hitler 2.0. If that isn’t scary enough.
      You’re right, though. We need to look out for each other. ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Colleen M. Chesebro May 4, 2020 at 5:19 pm #

        So true, Sis. I also think the virus could be something that has melted from beneath the permanent frost. The irony would be that we released it because of climate change which we’ve also caused. 🤦🏼‍♀️❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Elizabeth May 3, 2020 at 5:05 pm #

    Wonderful poems! The first one is really impressive. Not far from what the reality can become.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q May 4, 2020 at 4:35 pm #

      Hi, Elizabeth! Thank you. I’m happy you liked the poems. If they continue to experiment with these microorganisms, trying to develop the most efficient biological weapon––things will end badly. :/

      Liked by 1 person

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  20. dgkaye May 3, 2020 at 6:01 pm #

    Don’t get me started girl! Me and Colleen have been discussing the theory of exactly what you wrote about. Sistah!!!! ❤ I will also add how increasingly curious I am getting as to why those in charge at the top on the red line are hanging out together, disobeying protocol, NOT wearing masks, YET aren't getting sick??????????? If this is 'the plan of the pruning of society', do "certain" people have the antidote? Sorry, but, a writer's mind. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q May 4, 2020 at 4:54 pm #

      I completely agree, Sis. Either they do have a vaccine and haven’t told us because they want to rid themselves of as many old and weak people as possible, or they’re exaggerating the effects of this virus in order to create a subservient group mentality amongst the people. Who knows what is really going on? The one thing I do know is that we haven’t been told the truth about any of this. Hey, no need to be sorry. Great minds think alike. 😉 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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      • dgkaye May 4, 2020 at 5:39 pm #

        Woohoo we do! Hopefully, the truth will eventually come out, and the lies will be gone with the blue wave! ❤ xx

        Liked by 1 person

  21. ellenbest24 May 4, 2020 at 3:05 am #

    An awesome poem … truly huge in its minisculeness.
    Cospiracy theories 🤔 some have grounding. Our leaders, ministers of law, polaticians, peacekeepers and scientific leaders. Had they said ‘we think this was man made’ or ‘It was the mistake of one human in a lab’ or even ‘ it was on purpose, it, was tested on purpose’
    Many would have rioted, been scared, committed suicide, gone to physical war. In stead they focused on keeping us as safe as they could, While they, themselves worked out what to do.
    Poor us, deprived of out? Of physically socialising … All we have to do … is adapt, adjust and stay calmly at home. In the end the powers that be are faced with the unknown, hindsight is a perfect science.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q May 4, 2020 at 7:46 pm #

      Thank you for appreciating my poems. The main point I tried to make was that this outbreak should not have occured in the first place. Many have been deprived of much more than physically socializing. There has been close to 70,000 deaths in the United States. Many have lost loved ones due to this pandemic. Not to mention, many have lost their jobs and businesses. 🙂

      Like

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      • ellenbest24 May 5, 2020 at 2:03 am #

        Yes it is awful, for a comparatively small Island The UK has too. I personally know three people who once sat at my table who we will never see again and several who have recovered. Then people say it is too hard to stay in … that makes me cry, so selfish. You poem was worth the virtual travel to read it. X

        Liked by 1 person

    • Vashti Q May 6, 2020 at 3:33 pm #

      Oh, Ellen. I’m so sorry for your loved ones who were sick and for your terrible loss. I agree, it is selfish for those who are not at high risk to be so careless. Thank you, my friend. ❤

      Like

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  22. D. Wallace Peach May 5, 2020 at 9:56 am #

    Whoa! Chilling etheree and tanka and following discussion, Vashti. The poems are wonderful. Add the impact of global climate change on the microbial world, and we are facing an uncertain future. Ack!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q May 7, 2020 at 12:26 pm #

      You are so right, Diana! Thank you! I’m happy you liked the poems. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. robbiesinspiration May 6, 2020 at 12:31 am #

    Yes, your conspiracy theory reflects my own thoughts, Vashti.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Vashti Q May 7, 2020 at 12:30 pm #

      I noticed we do think alike on many subjects. 😀 You know what they say . . . Great minds and all . . . 😉 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. markbierman May 6, 2020 at 8:07 am #

    Anything has the possibility to be used for either good or evil. You’re right, Vashti, who knows what goes on in those labs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 7, 2020 at 12:37 pm #

      That is true, Mark. So many inventions/discoveries stem from good intentions and then the wrong people come along and pervert it. :/

      Liked by 1 person

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  25. merrildsmith May 8, 2020 at 4:23 pm #

    An interesting dystopian poem!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  26. judeitakali May 10, 2020 at 6:27 am #

    I’d missed out on this one. You did a hell of a post, remarkable writing Vashti

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 11, 2020 at 12:54 pm #

      Hi, Jude! You didn’t miss out because you’re here, and I thank you for that. Thank you for the awesome comment, too. I’m happy you enjoyed it. 😀 xo

      Like

      Reply
  27. Maple Leaves May 12, 2020 at 8:25 am #

    Interesting poem, a bit different 🍁🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  28. markbierman May 15, 2020 at 9:05 am #

    Who knows what goes on behind those laboratory doors, Vashti. Food for thought.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q May 15, 2020 at 11:23 am #

      Absolutely, Mark! There are advancements in science that we have not been made aware of yet. 😉 Have a wonderful Friday and weekend! ❤

      Like

      Reply
  29. Chris Schallert, Idea Engine July 25, 2020 at 2:26 pm #

    Well, that’s properly creepy.
    Love the poem at the beginning!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 31, 2020 at 12:39 pm #

      Thank you, Chris! I’m glad you appreciated the poem. 😀

      Like

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