How Many Lives Does It Take? Poem by Anita Atina

How many years pass by
Before knowing we haven’t lived
With purity of purpose
That gives true meaning to life,
Hollows our spirit

How many times do we give in
To greed and keeping up
Setting aside dreams
For another time that
Slips by, ignored

For how many reasons do we succumb to fear
Shrinking from the roughly-hewn path of light
It feels easier to bow down
To say nothing, do nothing
While our silence, lets the killing continue

How many fields of blood will we sow
Before we reap a violent harvest
Jumping back frightened
At the ogre we’ve created
Now ready to devour us

How many lives does it take
To turn this dark spiral
Back into realms of light and love
And to see life’s purpose
Dance with joy, on being found again!