NOTHINGNESS

It’s not a matter of whether Russia waging war on the Ukraine is politically motivated. It is simply a matter of good versus evil.…” writes Charlotte Cohen from South Africa.  Distraught, anguished, frustrated and questioning the direction of humanity at what is monstrously unfolding in Ukraine,  the poet weighs in on the horrific repercussions for all mankind when the  reigns of leadership are held by those with unbridled evil intent.

(David. E. Kaplan. Lay of the Land editor)


By Charlotte Cohen


The world needs an alien invasion

By unknown creatures from outer space

For us to know that despite our differences

We’re all part of the human race


That whatever our upbringing or culture

Or language or colour of skin

Our DNA is snipped from the self-same strip

We are all family.  We are all kin


But there are some who demand deference

And command subservience to domination 

Who compel control and impel their will

By executing destruction and ruination




Without respect for life, we’ll demolish and kill

We’ll strike again and again and again

Till we blow up the planet and everything that’s in it

Only then will we cease  – only then ….



But then, annihilated and eliminated 

It will finally be too late

A once-inhabited planet extinguished

No edifice left to hate


No more man-made hell on earth

Just vacuous, numbing peace

No consciousness, no living thing

No day begins; nor will it cease


And when we are knocked into nothingness

Our demise won’t dent the sky

When our planet finally perishes

No angel will blink an eye



In the timeless stillness of no future or no past

Will these tyrants hang in shame?

Will these demonic maniacs be accountable –

The diabolic madmen who were to blame?





But all spirit is regained and retained

And the aberration of each fanatic weighed

And for those whose delusions destroy life itself

An undreamed-of debt remains to be paid.



About the writer:

Charlotte Cohen  writes in diverse genres –  inspirational articles, poetry,  memoirs, short stories and  political commentary. A recipient of several  literary and poetry awards that include: The first South African three-time winner of English Association’s  annual writing competition; Winner of the Gitlin Library’s 25th anniversary  short-story writing competition; National award for a book on Drug and Alcohol Abuse; 1st prize:  Old Mutual’s ‘Siyakula’ Poetry competition; Winner of West Coast Writers  Poetry and Writing competitions 2013 and 2015.  Her articles and poetry have been published in ‘Jewish Affairs’ since 2006 and her poetry has been recited at Jewish Literary Festivals.





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