The flames of values once burned bright,

Illuminating our path and guiding us right.

But somehow, we let them fade,

As selfishness and greed began to pervade.

The embers of our humanity still remain,

But they’re buried deep beneath the pain.

We’ve strayed from the path of coexistence,

Leaving behind love and compassion in our persistence.

But there’s still hope for us to reclaim,

The values that once gave us our name.

We can fan the flames of coexistence and ignite,

A fire of understanding and insight.

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes,

We can start anew and fulfill our promises.

We can come together, heart to heart,

And restore the balance that sets us apart.

The flames of coexistence can guide us once more,

As we open our hearts and unlock the door.

To a brighter future, free from strife,

Where coexistence is the source of life.

So let’s join hands and work as one,

To rekindle the flames of coexistence, never done.

Let’s embrace harmony and understanding,

And create a brighter future, worth expanding.

A future where we can all coexist,

In peace and love, no longer resisted.

Where the bonds of humanity never sever,

And we can all thrive, now and forever.

The phoenix’s rise symbolizes our journey,

From the ashes of the past, to a brighter future, full of glory.

So let’s embrace the flames of coexistence,

And make our world a place of true existence.

But we can’t stop there, we must go on,

To spread the flames of coexistence far and beyond.

To every corner of the world, every nation,

And bring peace and love to every situation.

We have the power to make a change,

To bring love and understanding within range.

So let’s join together, heart and soul,

And make the world a better place, our ultimate goal.

The phoenix’s journey doesn’t have to end,

We can keep the flames of coexistence burning, till the very end.

So let’s keep the flames of coexistence burning bright,

As we work towards a future of love and light

About the Poet 

My name is Clarence Pagaduan, a passionate and creative student from The Philippine School Dubai. I’m really excited to be a part of Poetic Hearts 2023, and I’m looking forward to it as it will be an opportunity to come together with people who share a passion for poetry and literature.