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Midnitesun
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Gaia

0 posted 2005-11-28 04:34 PM



And when the dust settles, where will
the hearts and minds of the chosen ones thrive?
Where will the sands of time bury the pain
of numbered arms that cry, too thinly veiled
within memories and present day realities
of dangling arms that cannot hold
back the fate that follows the hate
of indifference, the hate of difference,
the utter depravity of what we let pass by
as we stroll the streets in anticipation
of the coming of the so-called holy days;
and still, it happens my friends.
Look around. There is still much fertile ground
being planted with seeds of hatred and indifference.
And as we chill our bones deeply
into another new winter around the globe,
you shall not find me fighting
for space in line at any shopping mall,
while the hearts and bodies of so many are malled
into nothingness by our indifference,
by our focus on differences
rather than our sameness.
Look around,
step out of line long enough
to make the next new year
one which all mankind can openly embrace.

© Copyright 2005 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

1 posted 2005-11-28 07:12 PM


and yet, amazing things happen in the midst of chaos...

I  have hope yet.

Lighting a candle here.


Midnitesun
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2 posted 2005-11-28 07:24 PM


Thank you Karen, for the warm candle of hope, for believing that goodness of the heart can prevail. Some days I feel it, others? well, the sight of people shoving and pushing and knocking others down to get to a mall sale item after Thanksgiving Day?
Whoever named it BLACK FRIDAY must have seen a similar scene to the one they showed on the nightly news. SIGH, but then again, the scenes of giving...the generosity after Katrina, well, most people really ARE good, aren't they? Hugs to you, and thanks for reading my darker side!

serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

3 posted 2005-11-28 07:39 PM


I thought you might like this Kacy:

"Consider Akullu Margret. She lives in Uganda. She has HIV. She works stooped over all day, breaking up large rocks into smaller stones. She makes about $1.20 a day, less than I pay for a cup of coffee and a muffin in this newspaper's cafeteria. Margret was among 200 HIV-positive Ugandan women who donated nearly all their wages over several weeks to help Hurricane Katrina victims.

They raised 1.6 million Ugandan shillings, which is about $872. That's nearly triple what the average Ugandan earns in a year.

Margret told Rose Busingye, the nurse coordinating the relief effort that she knew she would die of AIDS. "When I die, my children will be left like those in America. Someone will have to care for them. I want to care for someone also. I want to give a lunch, or at least a malaria treatment."

from an editorial I read today, written by Jarvis DeBerry in the Time's Picayune.
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/deberry/index.ssf?/base/News/1133078166201210.xml

Hope...

It makes me want to do better.

I'd like to buy someone a malaria treatment--but she probably doesn't even know she did much more than that.

She gave me hope.


Midnitesun
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4 posted 2005-11-28 07:51 PM


thank you for that beautiful reality check story. Yes, it's that kind of unselfish giving that keeps me getting up each day to stick my nose and heart out into the open...to encourage, beg, plead, cajole...whatever it takes to get people to keep this world balanced. I've learned that by FREEING myself to SAY and DO whatever it takes to foster kindness, I can move mountains and seas. And stories like this make me a believer there is great goodness in the heart of humanity.
I'd best shutup now before someone asks me why I posted this in Dark. LOL

Martie
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5 posted 2005-11-28 09:50 PM


Kacy dear sister

It is good to be ferocious and to see that scene at the mall, really made me angry also.  I admire you for speaking your mind, and always have.  But, yes...I see hope too.  Karen is also right.  And that story she told is only one...there are many!!  I would rather dwell and the side of hope!!  However, I would also like to have the courage that you have, to speak up for the wrongs that happen all the time.  Hugging you both!!  

serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
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6 posted 2005-11-28 09:51 PM


Nodding...she is a mighty force.

I admire you more than you can imagine Kacy.


latearrival
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since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
7 posted 2005-11-29 09:29 PM


and you will never see me standing in a line waiting to push and shove someone else, so i could buy a toy for some unneedy child who in most cases has far too many now. Instead my Christmas money this year went to the brave military young men and woman in Iraq. my children are in agreement and I have six boxes almost filled so each family can send  one in their names, as their gift from me.  We can make a difference each in our own way. Thank you Kacy, you are one in a million;  one who can stand alone and still know that you are right. martyjo
sandgrain
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA
8 posted 2005-11-30 12:38 PM


So glad I 'darked' in to this Dark Poetry section and read this.  I never come here because I'd had a preconcieved idea that it was depressing stuff posted here. I really enjoyed your post. It needs to be said and even moreso be a wake up call to change all the bitterness and hauty ways.

Karen, your story is precious, too.  Reminds me of Mother Theresa.

The spirit of good will the shoppers are getting ready to celebrate, sure is lacking when they shop.  Like the angry looks in a gridlocked church parking lot after hearing the sermon on love your neighbor, huh?

Thanks for sharing these.

   Rae

Midnitesun
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Gaia
9 posted 2005-11-30 02:02 AM


Wow, I guess this might have been a good spot to post after all. Thanks Martie, Maryjo, and Rae, for adding your thoughts here. We are a mighty force! YAY for poetry lovin ladies!
The DARK side of life is never anything to shy away from, for it usually brings out a LIGHT from someone's pocket.

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