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Open Poetry #40
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Africa Mercy
| Open Poetry #40 |
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Africa Mercy |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa 
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AFRICA MERCY* 25 May 2007 Floating embodiment of grace and spirit of the good! O, world, drowning in self, see, know, understand, learn and do likewise - with a smile - or a life. All of us rich or poor should, must and, most of all, can. It’s easy. All we need is a heart, a mind and a compass. The choice is yours and mine with every breath we receive with or without gratitude. Come, world, let us take hands, not arms. Let us bask in our blessings and invest them in a world worthy of our children. Masakhani.** Let us build a ship together and call it World Mercy and steer it towards the sunrise. - Owl * This is the name of an international hospital ship, funded by an Irish singer (Bonill – spelling?) and the governments of several countries. The Africa Mercy has just docked in Monrovia, Liberia to stay for a few months before going to Sierra Leone. It has five surgical theatres and is offering free medical attention to countries in Africa. I heard about it tonight on TV news. ** This is a Zulu word that means “Let us build together” and it is pronounced more or less Muss-a-car-ni – with the “car” pronounced as a very open sound as an Australian would. |
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| © Copyright 2007 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved | |||
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
"Come, world, let us take hands, not arms." I share this prayer. And I am so proud to know you.... |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you very much, Karen. I am equally proud to know you. I hope I am not projecting myself to be better than I am. I am not all that nice - I just want to be. I just feel that it is so simple not to commit crime or wage war, no matter the circumstances. You just don't do it and it won't be done and if each individual didn't commit crime nor wage war, there wouldn't be any. OK, yes, perhaps that is an oversimplification . . . but is it really? - Owl |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Oversimplification? Perhaps. But we could use more and sweeter simpler ways to deal with humanity. At times, I think it is really only the nations' bosses that stir and feed the political flames... perhaps they consider it job security? |
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Drauntz Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905Los Angeles California |
I love your poem. yes,peace, we all hope for it and try hard tries. One of my friend was in Kenya for two years in a medical team. |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Diana~ 'All of us rich or poor should, must and, most of all, can.' There is SO much wisdom in your words~ Thank you for sharing~ *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
"It’s easy. All we need is a heart, a mind and a compass." you've done a beautiful job Diana and we must start somewhere thank you my friend |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you all you lovely people. It is so good to sneak into Pip for a few moments of friendship, peace, upliftment and honest communication, even though i should be working 96 hours out of every 24. Yes, Karilea. I think it is our nations' bosses, but perhaps we should stand up to them - difficult though, as that could involve breaking the law - and that is against the philosophy of the above poem. Drauntz, your friend who was in a medical team in Kenya for two years must have had a very hard time facing some of the terrible realities of the poverty and suffering in central African countries. Marge, that is indeed a wonderful compliment from one as wise as you! Yes, Kate, you have hit the nail on the head! "Starting somewhere" is a wonderful philosophy, which I am going to keep in mind especially now, to use on our community. My son and I are on the Sector Policing Forum committee (as chairman and secretary respectively) for our area and our main aims are to promote the image of the police to the community (99.9% or more of whom have lost faith in them); hold the police accountable for their mistakes and lack of action; and change the status quo. We work our butts off and have the best attended meetings of the 4 sectors of our police station, and are the most pro-active, but it is tough - not to mention time and money-consuming. One of the things we do, is to try to persuade people to put their complaints about the police in writing so that we can follow them up, but most people couldn't be bothered, nor do they want to be in a position to say anything good about the police. Adding the catch phrase, "have to start somewhere" to the ones we already use, is an excellent idea. Thank you. - Owl |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Hi, Diana! When I was young ~ I mean, "younger"  ~ I wanted to be a social convener on an ocean-liner. Instead I became a nurse. Perhaps I should apply for a job on the Africa Mercy!  Thank you for bringing this news to my attention. Love, Light, Peace & Harmony, Linda |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Diana, the world needs more ventures similar to this...there are far too many people that need help...desperately.... |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
quote: Diana, you may add my name to this crew, any day! Thank you for offering such a loving post. |
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aziza Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy! |
A beautiful and poignant call for peace. I hear you and my heart is open to world peace. Thank you for the beauty - Alison |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Linda, Barry, Kacy and Alison. It feels good to be surrounded by so much peace and wishes for peace. Isn't it amazing? I am sure if one asked everyone in the world, individually, whether they wanted world peace, I am sure they would all say "Yes", but as Karilea says, many of the nations' bosses would all have a "but". - Owl |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Wonderful...James |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Hello Diana..it's been such a long time since I heard the words from your wise soul. I have missed you. I've not been around as much, but have not stopped appreciating the beautiful person and poet that you are. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, James. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, Martie. I'm awed by your words. I, too, haven't been around much, and can't be much either, but it is great to tiptoe in here when I can make it. I hope you are well. I miss you too. - Owl |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
Superb 'write'! Nothing more I need add to the appropriate 'comments' already made by the grand-fine "P.I.P." poets! sustained applause!! |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Hi Diana. Certainly a worthwhile call for peace but we wish for peace, hope and pray for it, work for it, fight for it, and talk and dream of it and still there's no sign of it. "Ask and thou shalt receive" - yes, but it was never mentioned how long we have to wait. Enjoyed your words! Helen |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thanks, Bruce. Big smiles. Also very happy that you appreciate PIP poets as much as I do. Yes, Helen, I agree with you very well up to a point, but the beautiful peaceful things don't often make the news and when they do, most people don't notice it, remember it or laud it. Glad you enjoyed the poem. Nice to hear from you again. I can only pop in here for a few moments at a time. - Owl - Owl |
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