Stone’s Throw Away
Our love was
so strong that
we were just
a stone’s throw
from reconciliation,
but the stones
already slung had
so badly broken
the glass house
of our trust that
the shards seeded
a stone wall over
which no stone
could ever be
thrown again.
We were so close,
and yet so far.
I wrote this poem in 2023 for humanity, inspired by the proverb “People who live in glass houses should not throw stones”.
© Susan L Hart 2026
Fabrications
Society used to
be built on
the character of
the people who
wove the fabric.
Integrity,
Honesty,
Hard Work,
Relationships,
and Vision.
These were the
vital strands
woven into the
warp and weft of
our world.
Now society is
fabricated on
voices in thin air,
virtual words with
empty promises.
We want that
world back,
a place where
strong character’s
substance reigns.
But wanting and
deciding are
two unlike things,
one is a wish,
the other intent.
Nothing comes
for free, and
everything worth
anything is still
worth the work.
Fabrications, © Susan L Hart, excerpted from Humanity’s Lament: Poetry for Our Times
The Trees Weep
The willow weeps,
the pine trees moan,
all Nature’s feeling it,
deep to the bone.
Humans out of sync,
not hearing their hearts,
the soul of the Earth’s
being torn apart.
“Technology’s call
mesmerized them all,
and why can’t they see,
their hate is a wall?”
The mountains watch,
their strength eons old,
the oceans too have
seen centuries unfold.
They will endure, but
will humans be here?
“It seems they don’t care,
they don’t hold us dear.”
The eleventh hour
draws swiftly nigh,
trees watch us, crying,
will this be goodbye?
The Trees Weep © Susan L Hart, excerpted from Humanity’s Lament: Poetry for Our Times
It’s Our Choice
They say they don’t
want us to hate
and fight, they
make rules that gag,
to make sure
we’re polite, ’cause
“we’re irresponsible”.
And yet they stand
on podiums and
say what they want,
inflammatory words
meant to ignite, so
that we’ll bicker and
get lost in their fight.
Hypocrites they are,
the ones with their
double speak,
their goal is our ire,
they like to see us
fighting each other,
burning in their fire.
Let’s not.
It’s Our Choice is an excerpt from Humanity’s Lament: Poetry for Our Times
This haiku was written as a submission for Week 4 of Alegria de Rose’s Writing Winter’s Breath. If you’re on Substack and would like to join in, find the invitation here: https://alegriaderose.substack.com/p/week-4-invitation-writing-winters
haiku WinterWalk / © Susan L Hart 2026
Susan L Hart / Author 