Spring celebration, 2013. The Year of the Lord, Twenty Thirteen
We’re cut and bleeding
Angry and spent.
The old and the young
Weep because they know better.
Women wail because of what
Their issue has
Brought forth. All labor
Seems for naught.
Some simply
Do not, others sadly,
Cannot learn.
We’ve tried so many times,
After every war
After each victory,
Each defeat.
We’ve always started and stopped
In some qualified manner or another.
But yet,
And still, we advance.
Often imperceptibly,
A quarter of an inch, here or there.
Not this time.
Now,
The unearthed anguish,
The shocked sobs,
The great collective cry
Is moving us forward.
Again.
This time, this time
We’re taking
Bigger steps.
Susan Patterson
We’re cut and bleeding
Angry and spent.
The old and the young
Weep because they know better.
Women wail because of what
Their issue has
Brought forth. All labor
Seems for naught.
Some simply
Do not, others sadly,
Cannot learn.
We’ve tried so many times,
After every war
After each victory,
Each defeat.
We’ve always started and stopped
In some qualified manner or another.
But yet,
And still, we advance.
Often imperceptibly,
A quarter of an inch, here or there.
Not this time.
Now,
The unearthed anguish,
The shocked sobs,
The great collective cry
Is moving us forward.
Again.
This time, this time
We’re taking
Bigger steps.
Susan Patterson
Audio of The Year of the Lord, Twenty Thirteen
Discussion:
I wrote this poem just after the Sandy Hook School shooting where 20 children and 8 adults were killed, including the shooter and his mother. Even though there has been tragedies and atrocities across the world in the last several decades, that one seemed to hit us hard in the United States. As well it should. It was right before Christmas in 2012. It was school children and their teachers that were killed. It was in a peaceful little town.
I thought that the setting and the targets would be enough for us to do something about violence and gun control. I thought surely this time something will be done. Surely this time we, as a society, will take big steps forward towards a more civilized and peaceful world. It is June 2013 and I don't see that much as been done. Maybe the steps are so small that they are not noticeable. Maybe many small steps will make big steps later on.
As the poem says, I think that we are tired of wars and violence. And it seems that after every major episode of violence, we say "This is it!" We're going to do better. And, I think that we are doing better. We do not draw and quarter people any more. There is that. But still, we must make bigger strides. We must do more to change our human society to one that does not revert to violence at every turn. Can we not stop the aggression? Can we not stop the hatred? Can we move to a higher level of humanity? Surely it is time. skp
I thought that the setting and the targets would be enough for us to do something about violence and gun control. I thought surely this time something will be done. Surely this time we, as a society, will take big steps forward towards a more civilized and peaceful world. It is June 2013 and I don't see that much as been done. Maybe the steps are so small that they are not noticeable. Maybe many small steps will make big steps later on.
As the poem says, I think that we are tired of wars and violence. And it seems that after every major episode of violence, we say "This is it!" We're going to do better. And, I think that we are doing better. We do not draw and quarter people any more. There is that. But still, we must make bigger strides. We must do more to change our human society to one that does not revert to violence at every turn. Can we not stop the aggression? Can we not stop the hatred? Can we move to a higher level of humanity? Surely it is time. skp
The Truth About Cats
When I started this blog, I promised my husband that I would not post any cute cat pictures or the like. I will not…for the most part. We have four cats, Becky, Alice, Charley, and Eddie. We also have day care kitties, Dewey and Louie, that belong to our neighbor. (There was a Hughey, but he was hit by a car and so my neighbor brought the two remaining brothers, Dewey and Louie, to our safe neighborhood.) So, there are often six of the felines running around our house. We are not crazy cat people. They just all needed a good home. (More later on that.) Needless to say, we know cats. When a friend sent me this link, I laughed and laughed. I share it with you and after the seriousness of the poem today, I think that we can all use a good laugh. http://zefrank.tumblr.com/post/50027982694/the-diary-of-a-sad-cat
Possible series:
It is possible that I will start a cat series. There is a Causerie for spotlighting artists, tidbits, and one for tea. What is that? Do I hear a loud cry, 'Oh, my God! No!' Well, we shall see.
▶ "The wisdom of the cat and the wisdom of the tea are not entirely different." Earlene Grey
Charley Patterson, sleeping where he is not supposed to be.
Hoping for a more peaceful world very soon, skp
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