He who is
devoid of the power to forgive is wrapped in arms of distraction
so absorbing that he is
devoid of the power to love,
captivated by the seductions of
pride, rage, and hurt.
These constant companions,
squeeze close.
Strange monsters, they Rule.
Monsters have No time
to breathe serenity, No time
to gaze at the stars or
to sniff morning air.
They nibble food laced with
shame, fear, sorrow and regret.
As the moon pulls the tides
and baby wolves cry in hunger,
monsters grow weary.
With three eyes open
you may glimpse a release
and murmur:
“There is some good where I thought none could dwell. In the worst of us beats a heart ready to love.”
And under a full moon you know
some evil lurks like a dormant virus
in the best of us.
~ ~ ~
In response to dVerse Poetics: “Bold Tributes“. “…tonight we are going to be bold in our truth-telling by illuminating powerful quotes that inspire social justice, global peace, or human rights.” The challenge is to incorporate a quote in a poem, highlighting it in bold type. The quote I chose is of Martin Luther King Jr:
“He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us.”
©️2018 Ontheland
Ontheland 
You are so right… evil exists in all of us… thankfully I think there is goodness in all as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true
LikeLike
I liked the contrasts in this one. The soul wrapped up in his hurt and pain, the hope that there is a heart of love down inside all of us, and evil being the herpes of life!
Dwight
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Dwight. You noticed the dormant virus 🙂 lots of news about people getting shingles lately put that in my head….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing what inspires us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is good to recognize the truth you illuminate here in your poem. Because if we lose our humility, that evil we denied will surely overtake us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes to humility. Thank you again for this prompt.
LikeLike
Fantabulous! Reads like Old Scriptures.. 😎🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting observation 😉
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing that powerful quote ~ Your poem reminds me of the delicate balance of darkness and light, good and evil ~
LikeLiked by 1 person
“..captivated by the seductions of
pride, rage, and hurt.
These constant companions,
squeeze close.
Strange monsters, they Rule…”
I do love the way you weave the quote into your poem….really thoughtful and good food for thought. Great work!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Pat.
LikeLike
Wonderful imagery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
I really liked this poem, I read it a few times. The thread of the baby wolves brings the metaphor a poignancy by showing the effect the “monsters” have. Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much.
LikeLike
The poem enlarges and enriches the quote. Beautiful flow. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good observation about evil lurking in the best of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘They nibble food laced with
shame, fear, sorrow and regret.’
This is wonderful, Janice. The quote is well interpreted in your longer piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike