'If The World Seems Cold To You, Kindle Fires To Warm It ' Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

Cold, cold, cold, when rain falls to the ground
Without let up, forming raging waves,
that wash up houses beyond distant shores,
tearing trees and farmlands -
making people scream for hope.
Let us kindle fires of solidarity
to reach out the victims of nature's fury.

Cold, cold, cold, when the human heart
is enthroned by revenge and hatred
sending herds of refugees running for life
Riding on boats, crossing the Mediterranean -
drowned and swallowed by the deep seas.
Let us kindle fires of love, never to fan hate.
Let us welcome refugees - a chance to live.

Cold, cold, cold when humans
look at wars and terror the way to rule
and dominate; cold, cold when
when guns and bombs sow seeds of fear,
killing lives by tens and thousands.
Cold cold, when tears are shed
over the deaths of our precious beloved.
Let us kindle the fire of hope
And build bridges of love as people
in need for peace and justice.

________written this poem as response to Nishu M's title challenge at www.voicesnet.com