Something To Do While Watching the News
I think, when we see
the news on TV,
it’s easy to go
into horror and woe.
But there is danger
adding anger to anger,
letting fear and hate
proliferate.
Remember – we increase
both Love and Peace
in the Universe,
not by making things worse
but rather by being
those qualities: seeing,
in our minds eye, how
they fill us – and now
projecting them as light
in intentional flight
to the war-torn places,
the tormented faces.
Excuse if I preach.
I do think that each
ray from each soul
adds to the whole –
perhaps infinitesimally,
yet surely exponentially?
I can only start with me.
So can you. Oh, may it be!
I was recently given a challenge to write truthfully, without 'artistic imagination', while using rhyme. Poets United's Midweek Motif ~ Televised finally gave me an occasion to try it.
I LOVE this. It can only help, adding light and love to the world. I have heard there are peacekeepers who travel to hot spots on the globe to do just that. I remember an environmentalist friend say Mother Earth feels your pain. Let her feel your joy too.
ReplyDeleteWow, how amazing and wonderful, those travelling light workers! And I love your environmentalist friend's comment.
DeleteThere is a danger of "adding anger to anger"... adding fuel to the fire so to speak. So much of the news is depressing that it gets to a point that you can no longer bear to watch. Seems a bit ironic in that regard. I wish for every bad news story they would find three to report that filled me with hope and maybe that fire would shine instead of consume.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind your "preaching" at all. You speak truth!
ReplyDeleteWhat a hopeful poem - we are what we give and may that always be light
ReplyDeleteWise words, Jae –'we are what we give'. Thank you.
Delete" Remember – we increase
ReplyDeleteboth Love and Peace
in the Universe,"
Spoken like a true spiritual worker. Love the verse and the rhyme. Love the hope and the practice. I join you in the prayer: So Mote it Be!
I needed this today, Rosemary. I wrote a poem for this prompt, which I chose not to post--sometimes poetry is just for us, as you already know. Your poem--wise and kind and bright--explains exactly why I won't share that poem. Not today, at least... perhaps, one day, I will find a way of using the rage in the words for good.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we do need to express the rage etc., even if we then make the choice not to share it with others.
Delete"but rather by being
ReplyDeletethose qualities"....This is the best thing we can do. Love and light is the answer to all the horrors and woes. So beautifully put.
You did a wonderful job! Yes it is easy to wring our hands and cry woe, to let anger rule us. I agree. Let it begin with me and let the result be peace.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Rosemary. The wise woman writes:
ReplyDelete... (may) we increase
both Love and Peace
in the Universe,
not by making things worse
...
I can only start with me.
So can you.
That is correct, only a few can start with others. For sure not me.
..
perhaps infinitesimally,
ReplyDeleteyet surely exponentially?
Peace is so elusive mainly because the powers that be are all hiding behind their own agenda. One can extend inputs as you did and these would develop exponentially in time. Wonderful write Rosemary on a difficult subject tainted with blood.
Hank
I wish I had had this poem last night. I was trying to tell some friends what your poem expresses. I did a poor job of it. You did a great job with these words. When I see my friends again, I may read this to them.
ReplyDeleteIf you were trying to describe it, it must mean you're doing it! *Big smile.*
DeleteSadly watching the news can be quite depressing. Perhaps we make a mistake in observing so much else which hurts us inside when we could in fact be happy with ourselves and families without looking further afield.
ReplyDeleteHard to know. Most of my life I felt an obligation to watch the news, to stay aware of what was going on in the world. Nowadays, I'm not at all sure it's worth it.
DeleteIt’s a reality, the danger of adding anger to anger, we see it every day. In the news this afternoon, another stabbing, this time outside a government building in London. I would love to see everyone projecting love and peace wherever it’s needed.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful rosemary. May it be so!
ReplyDeleteMay it be so!
ReplyDeleteWe have a saying in our household....warm up the telly and put the bad news on.
ReplyDeleteAmen, may it be, indeed.
ReplyDelete