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Open Poetry #25
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Midnitesun
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0 posted 2003-03-23 12:16 PM



Unplug the TV.
Go about your day.
You can’t do anything
to stop the war, anyway.

Or can you?

Turn off the radio.
Go out and run a mile.
Maybe the images will go away,
at least for a little while.

Or will they?

Hide your head in the sand.
Don’t listen to any marching band.
War will end in Peace,
as it always does.

But has it ever?

Shake your pocketbook.
Surely it holds some spare change.
Send it to a victim’s group,
maybe your heart will beat again.

Or did it ever?

Stand up and be embraced,
Love’s arms shall set you free.
Reach out with Love instead of Hate
for survival’s sake, for you and me.

Are you ready?

Or will you just sit and wait
for the end of the Humanity,
in front of that TV?


© Copyright 2003 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
wranx
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since 2002-06-07
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1 posted 2003-03-23 12:34 PM


I can't shake the feeling that we (humanity) are now on the cusp of something terribly, terribly important. A feeling that we have one final chance to "get it right" or suffer centuries continued intolerance and strife
Midnitesun
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2 posted 2003-03-23 12:48 PM


Yes, and yet those same thoughts have been voiced so many times in the past.
I fear we will have many more opportunities to screw up, and of course, that's what we shall probably do.
For now, I'm going to go and meditate, exercise, draw or paint, clean my kitchen, cook for a shut-in, enjoy the skies, listen to the birds in the trees, and kneel to my knees in anguish as well as joy at what I see around me today.

namaste, and peace to you Ed
please keep paper and pen close, and keep sharing your heart and soul

kayjay
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since 2002-06-24
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3 posted 2003-03-23 01:01 PM


In a rare mood of resolution, in January, 2001, I turned my set off for January.  By February, I couldn't remember why I had it.  And now I garden and  play music and write poetry.  I got the best of the trade.
You have such a way of putting the right nail in the right place with the right hammer.  Love your writing.  KJ

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Midnitesun
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4 posted 2003-03-23 01:08 PM


Thank you so much for that kind reply, Ken.
You've discovered that gardening offers many rewards beyond fruit and fragrance.
Keep the music playing. Peace to you.


Ericc
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since 2003-01-31
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5 posted 2003-03-23 01:35 PM


Thank you...you cloak such wisdom in your beautiful words.
Eric

Midnitesun
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6 posted 2003-03-23 01:39 PM


Eric, you are generous with your reply!
I want to keep up with the news, and yet it threatens to derail my sense of being. Sometimes, I just have to unplug everything and remember to smell the roses. Thanks for being here at Pips.

Duncan
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since 2001-08-07
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7 posted 2003-03-23 01:59 PM


Hmmmm...how about I only watch Nickelodeon?  Gotta keep up with Spongebob!     Hi Kacy, where ya been?  Get stuck in a snowstorm or something...lol???

[This message has been edited by Duncan (03-23-2003 02:14 PM).]

Midnitesun
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8 posted 2003-03-23 02:19 PM


Hello Duncan. Actually, I now have the TV on for a few minutes, listening to an updated report, as I have a family member currently in Iraq.
Yes, I was 'trapped' for three days due to the blizzard. Other than that, Jiminy is not very amusing these days, but still bugs me to write, even if in great emotional pain.

MARK V SHELDON
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since 2001-06-21
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In a corporeal internship...
9 posted 2003-03-23 02:50 PM


Awesome write and message, Kacy.  Amen to that.

-MVS

You CAN make a difference:
http://educate-yourself.org/

Midnitesun
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10 posted 2003-03-23 02:52 PM


Thank you so much for spending a moment with me, Mark.
I am greatly distressed today, as are most sentient beings.
namaste, and peace

May ripples of LOVE
become waves of PEACE

Mistletoe Angel
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11 posted 2003-03-23 02:57 PM




YES!!! BRAVO!!! You've said it!!! (big huggggssssssss) Just like I mentioned in response to one of bsquirrel's posts recently, I am not going to watch the war at all on TV, it to me is just another disturbing reality series, Joe Millionaire Meets Survivor! (wipes tears) I find it sickening how our society seems to accept violence ever so much, it's like one minute when 9/11 happened, everyone was grieving and saddened and we got so much support, the next minute everyone is curious to find out about those who committed the crime and look into the violence. Same thing with Columbine (which someone I know was shot that day). Everyone grieved at first, then everyone wanted to know more about Eric Harris and Dylan Klebott (did I spell his last name right?), and in result, they got exactly what they wanted. Infamous fame! (sad sigh) Well I for one am not going to stand up for this coverage, I SHALL PULL THE PLUG FROM THE SOCKET!!! (gasps for air) There's a start! You go girl, I love this, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Kacy, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

garysgirl
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12 posted 2003-03-23 03:05 PM


Hi Kacy,  

I do catch myself turning the t.v. to
Lifetime Movie Network a lot more during the
daytime now. I used to only watch it at night.

Heart Hugs,
Ethel

[This message has been edited by garysgirl (03-23-2003 03:19 PM).]

Midnitesun
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13 posted 2003-03-23 03:05 PM


Noah, you managed to make me chuckle today....I can actually envision you yanking that cord right out of the socket!
Thanks, friend.

And it was Klebold I believe. But names are really irrelevent, considering the horrific deeds. *sigh* I wish we could just erase all of this from our collective memory banks, and start over again. Perhaps we would give love and peace a chance.

SPIRIT
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since 2002-12-29
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14 posted 2003-03-23 09:41 PM


I made the personal choice several years ago. I don't watch news media and don't read it. I know what's going on but I am not going to ruin my every day by saturating myself with bad news. I can do nothing about the state of the world, I can do something about me and mine, and I can live in the now without living in fear of history yet to be written.  A lot of people think I am a little crazy - and maybe they are right - who knows. I refuse to spend a lot of time with one friend because her husband never turns the news off and sits all day watching it and brooding over it and I will not subject myself to that. On reading a biography on Loretta Young it was stated that  she never watched the news or read a paper so I don't feel like I am the only one with such an attitude. Good write.
Midnitesun
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15 posted 2003-03-23 10:03 PM


Thanks Ethel! I'm always happy to have you stop by and read.

Spirit, I do understand that. I didn't even own a TV for 5 years (by choice)since I was only home twice a week and everyone else I knew always had theirs on anyway, so it was hard to get away from the propaganda and advertisements. I do enjoy PBS specials, and I feel personally obligated to follow some news in order to properly educate my teenager on world events.

littlewing
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16 posted 2003-03-24 06:31 AM


Yes but this time it is far far worse like an Armegeddon type feeling here - and Kacy - goodness nice write - I do not watch the tv or read the paper and my radio only plays music - I know all too well the horror . . .  nice job once again xxoo
Earth Angel
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17 posted 2003-03-24 07:49 AM


Well, you just blew me out of my armchair in front of my TV!*!--but that is of no mind, I was just about to turn it off anyway and go for a mile run  away from it all! There's nothing that I could do to stop the war!--but then again, perhaps there is something I could do to help in some small way to help ease the suffering of others...

You wrote extremely well of the living dichotomy that many of us find ourselves in during these dark times. You are a poet with heart, soul--and a consciousness!

Peace & Light,
EA

Midnitesun
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18 posted 2003-03-24 11:17 AM


Sue, thank you for commenting. Yes, it is a really depressing scenario now, and I don't see much light at the end of this tunnelvision episode. But that won't stop me from hoping and working towards a different goal, a peaceful solution to conflict.

Linda, sorry about the blowout! Running is an excellent option.
I donate to Oxfam America, which assists various worldwide indigenous populations, and to various environmental groups that attempt to preserve a healthy quality of life. That's all I can do alongside speaking out. I will not do any violent protesting, as it is counterproductive in the long run.
Thanks again for being here at Pips.


Hope the following link will inspire you: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/about/art1281.html

[This message has been edited by Midnitesun (03-24-2003 04:44 PM).]

KoKo
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19 posted 2003-03-24 01:56 PM


ooooo I absolutely LOVE this!!! ~huge hugs~ I love how straight forward you are. Definitly an awakening thought.

I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.
--Chang Tzu

Midnitesun
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20 posted 2003-03-24 01:59 PM


My heartfelt thanks to you, KOKO, for your time and reply.
Midnitesun
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21 posted 2003-03-24 02:07 PM


My apology to all, for I am a hypocrite. I am now going to turn on my TV, if only for a few minutes. Please understand, I have a family member in Iraq, and my heart is torn apart right now. But of course, I know I'm not alone in this feeling.
God, will this madness never end?

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