The Corner Pub |
Indifference |
kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
They say there was a massacre in India's Amritsar. My fathers were indifferent because it was so far. The dead all spoke in unknown tongues, were of a darker race. They worshipped in exotic ways, a most peculiar place. In Dachau they imprisoned many Gypsies, gays and Jews. My relatives knew none of them and so ignored the news Until the evil spread so far it touched upon our shores. Is suffering unreal unless it suddenly is yours? I've heard they're shooting children now who live in Palestine. It's hard to get excited, because none of them are mine. Reports of earthquakes, wars and illness may not touch my heart Until I see in all of these my brothers have a part. In Gujarat and Kosovo good people suffer still. Of tragedy, man-made or not, the earth has seen her fill. Oh Father, give us ears and eyes so we may hear and see. "You did it to the least of these. You did it unto Me." [This message has been edited by kcsgrandma (edited 02-19-2001).] |
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© Copyright 2001 Marilyn Gordon - All Rights Reserved | |||
pegasus111 Member Elite
since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219ocala, fl, usa |
Marilyn..this is truly beautiful..as you are, my dear.. the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost |
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ellie LeJeune Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156King of Prussia, PA USA |
Marilyn; This deep and thoughtful and very intelligent writing, not to mention the poetic beauty as well. You have a wise and most beautiful soul, that I so admire. Love, ellie A friend hears the song in my heart, and sings it to me when my memory fails. |
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Swamp¤Faeryie Member
since 2000-12-04
Posts 393fairyland....of course;) |
This was very well written,i love poetry with a message!! i was surprised that you mentioned the gypsies at dachau,ost people don't know that,unfortunately.Did you know hitler also persecuted the religious organization of jehovah's witnesses? He called them pacifists because they would not fight his war...funny huh,it's like saying 'You're just to peaceful!!' He also killed people with deformaties and mental illness,called them "useless eaters",ooooh that man makes my blood boil.With out these people our world culture would be so much diminished...amazing. Thank you for the VERY thought provoking poem,i'm adding this to my library and remembering it!! Absolutely excellent,what else can i say?? You go girl sammi Do i contradict myself?Very well i contradict myself.I contain multitudes.~walt whitman |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Aww, Pegasus.... Thanks. But why didn't you point out my typo? Ellie - You see wisdom in beauty reflected back from yourself. But thank you. hugs Sammi - I am impressed that you know all that. I had heard it, but must confess I refreshed my memory at a web site about Dachau, inspired by a friend who is working in Germany and actually went there this weekend. Thank you for your very thoughtful reply. To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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Yu Lan Senior Member
since 2000-04-13
Posts 1462New Zealand |
I am so glad you have said this.. especially in such an amazing way.. it's sadly true, people just don't care about those kinds of things.. or believe them.. unless it's right on their doorstep.. I can be a little like that sometimes too. It's kinda shameful, to see what it takes for someone to notice.. I loved this..an absolute artwork, that I know I will never forget reading.. Luv, Lynne "He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened." Lao-tsu |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Lynne - Thank you for your kind words. It was partly my own unawareness of other people's suffering that inspired this poem. To some degree, every contact I make from another place and another culture raises my awareness. I am glad to know that someone else is touched by my words. To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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twilah Member
since 2000-09-25
Posts 91Maine, USA |
Marilyn, you KNOW I liked this one! What a way with words you have. You are truly gifted, my dear friend... "T" |
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Wikket Member
since 2000-01-29
Posts 340Santa Clara, CA USA |
kcsgrandma: This one really hits home for me...a good number of my friends are over in Kosovo right now keeping the peace. Outstanding piece of writing here! All I can say is, WOW! ~~Jamie I mean the opposite of what I say. You've got it now? No, it's the other way. ~Bruce Bennett |
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laryalee Member
since 2000-06-19
Posts 352Alberta, Canada |
Powerful message, Marilyn! Skilfully presented, as usual....evokes twinges of guilt - how easy to ignore these distant horrors. (One day, though, they may not be so distant.) Thanks for sharing your wisdom once again! Lary |
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Moon Dust
since 1999-06-11
Posts 2177Skelmersdale, UK |
Hey I do this, guess it seams less real if it aint happening to you. Made me think tho. Thanks for sharing. ~Maria~ |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Twilah - I won't mention that you are obviously biased. Thanks, my friend. Glad you came back. Jamie - Thanks. Kind of reinforces my point. I know nobody in Kosovo, or in the service now, whereas it is very real to you. I have a friend from Gujarat, so have noticed that tragedy, but am surprised how many are hardly aware it happened. Thanks for making that a little more concrete. Lary - Thank you. Not sure whether I like being told I have wisdom or not. (Makes me feel old!) Just kidding. Thanks for your kindness and support. Maria - Thanks. Yup, it's hard to believe in what you don't experience first-hand. To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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dgvarner Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552High Springs, Florida |
pardon me ..as i blow the held breath from my lips..WOW...its over, and i can breathe again.....but only as far as poetry goes..this stuff still goes on..and youre right..its easy to fluff off, until it starts to tug at your own door mat... mar this is awesome writing...very much detail packed into this one..and so much feeling for the people of the world.. i'm in awe... hugs, g "there is no BEST in a world of INDIVIDUALS..." "FORGIVENESS is giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me..." |
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JOY 14 Senior Member
since 1999-09-22
Posts 1419Wisconsin USA |
It is easy just to brush aside things that are happening thousands of miles away from us but everything that happens effects us. Thanks for the message, Marilyn. So often I forget. Joy Our doubts are traitors, And make us loose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt. ~Shakespeare |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Gale - Thanks. Didn't mean to knock the breath out of you.Well, maybe a little, but I really wrote this as much for me as for anyone else. I'm as guilty as the next person of ignoring what happens far away, or sometimes even under my nose. Thanks for stopping. hugs Joy - That's right. "No man is an island." I need to remember, too. Thanks for reading. To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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jbaker Member
since 2001-02-16
Posts 74Australia |
How sad it is that countries are fighting all the time and killing innocent people especially the young children. This poem is really what it is all about. You have obviously put a lot of thought and concentration into it....Congratulations..it is great. JB |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
JB - Thank you. My online contacts around the world have given me a lot of reason to think. To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Magnificent. We do tend to lose touch with PEOPLE we don't know personally. Thank you. Wonderful poetic reminder. Melton |
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Wobbly Head Bob Member
since 2000-05-15
Posts 299Virginia, USA |
Kcs--->This is a message I know too well...seems most poeple just blind themselves from whats going on else where in the world WE ALL live in. This touched my soul and moved me, thank you! |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Melton - Thank you. That "Magnificent" feels very nice! It is the people that matter, no matter where they are. Thanks for pointing that out. Bob - Thank you for sharing that. Sometimes it is easy to forget that we all share this planet, isn't it? But we have less excuse for forgetting with the technology we have available to tell us what is going on elsewhere. My grandparents can't be blamed for not knowing or caring what happened in India, but today, it is as near as my computer screen. To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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Suzanne Arlene Member
since 2000-10-09
Posts 377Ontario, Canada |
That was a wonderful poem, Moved my soul.You have a wonderful heart and you write from it well. Suzanne |
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Greeneyes617 Member
since 2000-11-22
Posts 329Arkansas |
oooo! wow that was great! it almost made me cry. KUDOS!!!! |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Suzanne - Thank you. That is a lovely compliment, and I can return it sincerely. Greeneyes - I appreciate the kudos. If it touched you, it achieved its purpose. To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
it seems like there's nothing much else to say..so i guess i will bump this up, hoping that more will read this fine reminder... |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Kaile - What is there to say but thank you? To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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