
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 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