July 8, 2007

     Since we are in the mode of celebrating Our Freedom and Independence, we might also want to reflect a bit on the notion of Peace.  After all, we fought for our Freedom in order to live in a land filled with Peace and Harmony.  We wanted to rid ourselves of the discord we felt while we were ruled by others.  Peace has not always been our experience however.  Today, more than ever, we are living in a world filled with hatred and discord.  Let’s take a few minutes to reflect on the thoughts brought out so beautifully by the following poets.     Lorette P. Nault

‘No room for hate’ by David Gould
(This poem was written in response to his daughter death in the London Bombing July 7, 2005.)

There is no room within my heart for revenge, fire or hate
There is no room within my mind for any thoughts like these.

I cannot find the words to say just how it is I feel.
But I know from deepest hurt I must forgiveness find.

The hurt that’s been done to us cuts sore like a knife,
but we must not, repay in kind what has been done to us.

Instead we must try and find the way that is so hard,
and reach out our loving hands to find some friendship now.

There can be no more healing thing than opening wide our eyes
and seeing that most other fld are really just like us.


            'About War Much Has Been Written'   by Wolfgang P. May

        About war much has been written,
        More must yet be said
        by those who say them die,
        so that the dead may rest
        and sight be gained
        to see war for what it was and is.

        War is not fighting,
        though fighting’s what we see,
        nor is it death,
        for death is but it’s end.
        It is the rancor of disunited hearts,
        the death of love, the end of hope.

        The war around us echoes in our hearts and grants it life.
        Once, mortals dared to tame this ancient beats and yet it thrives
        Each age must fight this force again, or pay its price.