Rifle shots darken
day, mood, life force.
Killing Jews in Australia
doesn’t save Palestinians
suffering in Gaza. Just as
slaughtering people in Gaza
has not stopped terrorists.
What, then? Hibernate? Enter
the darkness? Escape
under that blanket, despair?
Or light our candles
for all?
Written for Quadrille #238 at dVerse: 44 words including ‘hibernate’.
People have been lighting candles for those killed in the recent Bondi Beach attack on civilians celebrating Hanukkah. Others are asking why we don't do that for the victims of the genocide in Gaza.
You have expressed my feelings in this quadrille, Rosemary. I’m sick to the stomach, but lighting candles takes the edge off.
ReplyDeleteThank you. A hard one to write, and to decide to make public. I'm glad it struck a chord with you.
DeleteIndeed, nothing is made better with such meaningless acts.
ReplyDeleteIf only everyone would realise that!
Deletelight and be enlightened - a salutary anti-hibernation poem Rosemary
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteRosemary, I appreciate your effort to address this senseless violence. More violence is never the answer.
ReplyDeleteMay your candle stay lit. May your heart find peace.
Thank you for those kind wishes!
DeleteThank you for writing this, Rosemary. Heartfully expressed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol.
DeleteI light my candle for all ~~ your poem gave me shivers, Rosemary. I have pranced around on beautiful Bondi Beach ... cannot fathom the terror that day. Wishing you peace and joy this Holiday Season ... thank you for leaving me a comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen, and wishing you the same.
DeleteCandles and prayers for all. A well-knit and emotional Q, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer.
DeleteA meaningful acknowledgement in your poem that deserves an answer. If we are to be part of the healing of this world, then we must light candle for all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this answer!
DeleteWise words, Rosemary. So much said in so few words.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa.I'm glad I managed it.
DeleteYou are so right. Violence benefits nobody. Your last line here is what we all should strive to do.
ReplyDeleteIf only ... However, we can only do it individually, and hope there are ultimately enough of us.
DeleteTragic. Senseless. We are left with words and silence... mostly silence. How can't the whole world see that hate and violence and stupidity just beget more of the same.... :(
ReplyDeleteMany great teachers have been telling us so for centuries, and still we don't get it.
DeleteLet's not despair. I believe, evil is slowly disappearing from our world, despite how it all looks.
ReplyDeleteI pray that's so – and wish it would hurry up a bit!
DeleteA beautiful expression of what so many of us feel, Rosemary. You think such a genocide couldn't possibly continue, but it does, even into this new year. And more fires of hatred and greed lit in other parts of the world. But we are not powerless -- we can pray. There's hope still.
ReplyDeleteThank you. And indeed, I sometimes lose sight of how powerful prayer and meditation can be.
Delete