They argue from sunrise to sunset, throwing blood on the ground wet with tears of babes. They haggle senselessly, putting a price on peace and stoning themselves with hatred. They pummeled houses with tanks of metal and started a duel with the mountains. They grind soft bones into powder, using it to dress their home. They are the peace hagglers.
They are for peace, they say, yet their guns continue to sing. I laugh without showing my teeth. They fail to see my beauty. They refuse to acknowledge my work. Instead, they splatter evil all over the world. I weep for my clouds; I cry for my mountains.
My hills groaned with displeasure as my leaves danced with agitation. When will sons see their foolishness and embrace joy? Until I steal the wind? Or make my rivers dry? When will they realise the price of peace is cheap? While they massage their ego with foetuses and abort the dreams of teenagers. My silence is at an end. I open my arms and swallow them whole.
They haggle for the price of peace when they only need to love.
Photo credit: Laurent, Flickr
They haggle for the price of peace when they only need to love.
SS David
I’m late to the party, it’s the 2nd of February 2023 already, and I hope this year has started on a positive note for everyone. Every day is a chance to start anew and begin again. The poem above (can I call it that?) decries the state of our world. Putin of Russia is hellbent on starting World War 3, and police officers in the United States still kill unarmed and innocent men(mostly black). Kindness is so scarce now that even in our Royal Family, it’s one scandal after another. People are quick to judge and blame everyone but themselves.
Love is the antidote to all the madness and craziness in our world, but why is it so difficult to love? This question keeps me awake at night, and I believe I’m not alone. I know kindness still exists, and decency is still around, but all I see sometimes is debauchery and sexual immorality on our screens. People need to remember what it means not to cheat. Our politicians are only interested in themselves. People can die for years in their homes, and nobody cares.
That’s the reason selfless love is what we need to make our world a safer, kinder place to live.
I choose love over hate and am confident I’m not alone.
May we find it in our hearts to love this year, and then we will truly live.
This song is so soothing, and I have to post it. Jason Upton is a worship leader I just stumbled upon on YouTube. His songs drip with such revelation and mystery that I know he must be a profoundly spiritual man who loves the Lord.
Our lives are fast-paced, and sometimes we don’t pause to listen to our heartbeats, which yearn for something greater than ourselves. I have found love in God, and it settles my heart. I hope whoever listens to this deep song will find rest in God and His love. Below are the lyrics of the song. I hope you’ll enjoy listening to the music.
Love is a winding road Older than old, and hard to straighten Love is a mystery It’s got a hold on me And I just can’t shake it Love It’s a winding road
And love is a dangerous word to those who fear losing control ‘Cause love is a wild wind and no one knows which way it goes Love It’s a dangerous word
So, take a piece of bread and a cup of wine A common place and a common time And sit down at the table with love
Sit down at the table with love
Love is not far away It’s a home that stays right where we are ‘Cause love it can let us go It can hold us close It can heal our heart Oh, love
Is not far away Is not far away Sit at the table Come on, sit down at the table Come at the table If you haven’t already, come by me Come on, sit down at the table Do you feel ashamed? Let the shame go Sit down at the table
I hope you enjoyed the song, have a lovely weekend friends!
No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible
George Chakiris
As 2021 draws to a close, it has been another extraordinary and challenging year—a replica of 2020. I have taken stock of my life, and I am grateful and blessed to be alive, surrounded by love. Many people aren’t so lucky, and that’s not lost on me.
Our world has changed in more ways than one. We are still battling a pandemic that has taken over millions of lives; I have lost count of the dead. Yet, our world finds a way to renew. When a new day dawn, we repeat living all over again. People fall in love; they fight, bicker, and save lives. People have just been, well, human.
I love the peeping clouds!
However, I am determined to live my life as part of a positive movement of change. I want to make a difference and foster love rather than hatred, encouraging generations of people who are determined to preserve life, not destroy it.
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. we are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day
Edith lovejoy pierce
I will not make a new year resolution. Instead, I want to put a smile a people’s faces. We all need to laugh more and enjoy every moment of our lives. Why? Because our time on this part of heaven is so short.
Happy New Year to all my friends and everyone reading this. May God bless and keep you all!
”Human life is as evanescent as the morning dew or a flash of lightning.’‘ – Samuel Butler. I agree because life and love is a journey. Find out more in this short documentary I wrote and directed with a friend.
Here’s a transcript of the film:
Life is a journey, and it starts with a cry… the cry of a new-born baby. It ends with moans, groans, or the contented sigh of an older man or woman who’s led a fruitful life.
Or it can end in running feet, a chase, a stab, searing pain, blood splattered on the sidewalk, the cold street receding away as a young life flitter away into nothingness…
A life cut short…
Humans are chasing humans and killing without thought or regard for the pains inflicted on unfamiliar people.
Life can end well, or, it may end in tragedy.
Twenty years ago, I got married to the man of my dreams, and two years later, I was in the hospital, in labour, and anticipating the birth of my son.
It was a complicated process. A short life, my son passed away two days after he was born.
My life stopped briefly.
I didn’t know how to process my grief. I cried every night, and I prayed every night.
Days passed. Time didn’t wait for my grief. And I healed with the love of my husband and family.
Three months later, there was a miracle.
I was pregnant again. This time, everything felt different, but I was hiding my fears. I smiled openly while I cried and cringed inside, wondering if the new life growing inside me would live, and survive.
Nine months later, I welcomed another son. He lives. He’s kind and makes me laugh. He’s energetic and loves life. I had two more children, a daughter and another son.
My family means everything to me.
But something is wrong.
I’ve lived in London for over fifteen years, and every time there’s a young life wasted on the streets, I remember the child I lost.
Although my son died as a new-born baby and in different circumstances, I relive the pain every time I read or watch the news of another senseless killing of young people on our streets.
My eldest son is now 17. He’s brilliant and hardworking. He had one of the best GCSE results in his school, and he’s currently studying Medicine at A levels. He wants to be a doctor. Samuel wants to help and make our society a better place for everyone.
But should I be afraid anytime he’s out of the house? Or because of the colour of his skin?
Can I have hope that things will improve, and that love may conquer hatred, racism, anger and the ugliness inherent in the human soul?
My son believes in a better society, a better world.
Rafael Benedetti wants the world to see goodness in him. Fay Beneddeti intends to champion the course of women and family. These people are keen to see positive changes in our society.
Maybe, there is hope Afterall.
I won’t be afraid anymore.
Hope, no matter how fleeting is still better than fear.
Loving humans can be a reality while chasing humans could become a myth.
It’s 75 years tomorrow when allied forces landed in the vast beaches of Normandy, France. Several European nations came together after Germany occupied France. These brave soldiers waged a decisive battle against Adolf Hitler and his German forces entrenched in occupied France, and their bravery finally fostered peace in Europe, and the rest of the world.
Whether we have been able to achieve enduring world-wide peace is still up for discussion at a later date, but the Allied forces put an end to the gory adventures of Adolf Hitler, and many of us live in relative peace today. The fight for freedom was encapsulated in a moving speech by William Churchill on May 18 1944, he said:
‘’We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land, and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory despite all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be.’’
The United Kingdom, under the leadership of William Churchill, joined the rest of Allied forces to fight against a force so brutal it is intent on the total annihilation of several nations of the world. The Allied forces worked towards the goal of defeating the enemy on 6th June 1944.
They are our heroes.
The world is not totally at peace, but what we have today is a luxury we can only dream of if Adolf Hitler’s dream to rule the whole world was realised.
Let us rejoice today, and hopefully, the coming days will see a more peaceful world free from slavery, racism, poverty, murders, hatred, and petty human emotions that inhibit living peaceful lives.
NP: I haven’t been able to update my website due to health issues, work commitments, and postgraduate studies. I have respite for a few months and would endeavour to post more articles and would also visit many blogs as much as I can.
Life could be a jumbled mess, even at Christmas but smile, be happy because great things are afoot. That is if you believe it.
Last year Christmas, I was in the hospital. It was like a prison because for the first time in my life; I wasn’t with my family at Christmas. Two months before my admission, I’d had surgery, and for whatever reasons, my body reacted badly to the anaesthesia, and my right knee, ankle and hips bore the full brunt of the invasion. My knee was angry, red, bloated and painful. It was as if it had a life of its own, so morphine, tramadol, and cocodamol became my best pal.
I’d been on the waiting list for over a year now to rectify the anomaly in my joints, but our dear old NHS is also going through a tangled mess of its own, so I have to wait it out, in pain. A few days ago, my joints seemed to have had enough, and I had to seek medical help. It’s especially angrier at winter, so it’s like a vicious circle. So why am I writing this? In spite of my health challenges, I love celebrating Christmas because it’s about Jesus Christ, not Santa or the frenzy buying of gifts. There’s nothing bad in gifts, I’ve bought mine and it’s all wrapped up but it’s more than that. I believe Jesus is the son of God, and Christmas is a time to continue to spread the love of Christ and joy in our world. Although I must confess that as a Christian, it saddens me to see Santa glorified to gargantuan proportion, but hey, that’s life.
Life’s a mess sometimes, and I am using this article to reach out to anyone who’s faced or is still facing disease, disappointments, breakdowns of relationships at Christmas and this holiday season. Live strong, and it would pass. People will always piss you off, your expectations may fall short, and the gaiety of this season may appear fake, but life is truly rich and beautiful. We should always have hope irrespective of our circumstances, that things will always get better. If you’re a Christian, that hope is in Jesus Christ, If you’re of another faith, have this hope that things will get better by channelling your energies to positive things, do good to others and believe great things will come your way.
Smile with confidence, like the boy in the picture because things will work out in ways you’d never imagined.
Merry Christmas my friends, wherever you are in the world and have a fantastic New Year!
I had the wonderful privilege of reading an inspiring article on Arrow Gate’s website. The post was about a nonfiction book written by a woman with a big heart. Mary Anne Willow. Her memoir titled, ‘The Grace Of A Nightingale’ would be published soon.
Mary Anne touched on many things, depression, divorce, suicide, hope in the midst of despair and vaginal Mesh, a procedure recently suspended due to the complications many women faced when they had it done. You can’t hide what’s in your heart, and Mary Anne’s got lots to share with the world. Why not click on the link below and read about this? And maybe when the book’s out, you would all read the story of this awesome woman.
I can’t wait to see this memoir in print. It depicted the resilience of the human’s spirit. We need books like this in the world.
Paragon Of Beauty. Can You See Beyond Those Deep Lines Of Experience?
( Photo credit: Flickr)
It’s sometimes funny the way we hold on to things, and I mean material things as if we are going to live forever. It’s an open secret that someday, we will call it a day on this part of heaven. We may try to change the subject or try to push it to the deep recess of our minds but our times here in this part of heaven is limited.
That’s just the basic truth.
The woman in the picture is beautiful, but she is aging, and afterward, she would become one with the earth. Studying her face, she seems to know who she is, and she also appears to be living a good life.
What about you? What do you stand for? What are your beliefs? Are you an ‘I’ person or a ‘We’ kind of person? (I want you to ponder on that and give me an answer in the comment section below).
I love taking good care of my body, and since finding out several of my physical limitations, it has not ceased to amaze me how fragile we are. I am now indulging myself in things that are really important and soul-satisfying.
I love smelling flowers, my house is littered with pots of flowers. I appreciate water, I watch mesmerised as it flows through my fingers. I love the sun, the ability to walk, run, and play is just beautiful. I appreciate that now.
Since our time is short, isn’t it foolhardy to fight or keep malice? War is a gory affair. Humanity has pillaged and wasted blood throughout the millennia. I watched the news with slight irritation as grown men are throwing insults at one another. They are actually playing with war, and it’s not pretty.
I urge you all to enjoy every minute of your time, even if we all live till hundred, one day, time will be up.
So let’s stand for all that is good, excellent, and kind.
Life’s full of uncertainties, and honestly, we just have to live on regardless of what the day may bring.
How do we really deal with stuff we aren’t expecting? Do we curl up in a ball and bawl our eyes out, or do we just ride the storm? Do we fight with clenched teeth ready to conquer? I say we live each day believing that we have the strength to overcome whatever comes our way.
Ruby Dee was an American actress and writer’s whose words positively impacted my life:
Today is ours, let’s live it.
And love is strong, let’s give it.
A song can help, let’s sing it.
And peace is dear, let’s bring it.
The past is gone, don’t rue it.
Our work is here, let’s do it.
The world is wrong, let’s right it.
The battle is hard, let’s fight it.
The road is rough, let’s clear it.
The future’s vast, don’t fear it.
Is faith asleep? Let’s wake it.
Because today is ours, let’s take it.
I hope you’ll all enjoy the rest of your wonderful weekend.
Yesterday, I found out about the passing of my friend, a prolific writer, and a wonderful poet, Kimberly Wilhelmina Floria https://silentlyheardonce.wordpress.com/ and my heart broke into a million pieces. Kim fought a brave battle but has decided to rest. However, she has left us with several words of wisdom. While reading her poignant poem below, I felt a searing pain in my chest thinking of all the times I’ve wasted fighting needless battles, blocking the sun and escaping the breeze.
Three weeks ago I was wheeled out of the operating theatre after an emergency surgery, for a fleeting moment, the thought passed through my mind, ‘what if this is the end?’
All that’s going to change now. To celebrate her life, we need to ponder on now, this moment, we should imprint every memories so that when our time comes, we would have lived!
I think what Kim was trying to say is this:
Folks, enjoy the sun, stop gossiping, a hundred years can pass away in a blink! I really miss you Kim, continue to write for the angels… Adieu old friend.
IF ONLY…
if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would slow down and notice . . .
what was taken for granted . . .
☼
like dazzling sun risings . . .
drops of dew on spring leaves . . .
laughter roaring in the distant . . .
while tears flow with sorrow . . .
☼
if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would remember the taste . . .
of the ocean spray . . .
as warm sun’s rays turned to sweat . . .
☼
I would raise my arms above my head . . .
and run and run and remember the wind . . .
gently slapping my face . . .
☼
if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would imprint my little babies hands on my cheek . . .
I would bottle their scents forever in my memory . . .
☼
I would smile more and cry less . . .
I would live in the moment . . .
forgive the past and wait for the future . . .
☼
if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would love without judgment . . .
I would love without expectation . . .
I would love yes I would love free . . .
☼
I would not hear gossip . . .
malice wouldn’t exist . . .
negatively would be a waste . . .
a waste of precious time . . .
☼
if only . . .
if only I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would live insanely in joy . . .
every moment invested . . .
happiness and contentment . . .
my valuable stock . . .
☼
my memory would be long . . .
every word spoken . . .
every dream dreamt . . .
every soul I met would have a place . . .
in my recollection today . . .
☼
if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would slow down . . .
notice the emotions . . .
embrace the moments . . .
each precious one . . .
(Allied forces in a landing craft, 6th June 1944)
Seyi Sandra David 