Living in Our Neighbour's Shadow

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Magicmystery
Senior Member

since 2002-02-13

Posts 821
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

0 posted 2002-04-29 01:13 AM

Storms midi file
Living in Our Neighbour's Shadow

The buildings are taller over there
I swear, they could cast a shadow,
Clear across the river, but luckily,
The sun moves east to west,
Like the river that separates us.

And separates us, it does well.
Oh, the bridge and tunnel
Help to channel those who might
Travel back and forth through,
Well guarded gates.

But the buildings are smaller over here.
Our individuality seems more important,
As we walk most of our sidewalks unafraid,
Maybe it is the river their city is named for,
That makes us feel safe.

They send us their children at night.
They can get smashed 2 years faster,
A mile away from their laws,
Their police and their parents.
We sweep up and invite them back.

I might ask what respect they have,
For a city that is not theirs,
For a country they do not plegde to.
Their fellow countrymen bomb us accidently,
Then booo our national anthem.

Ask me if I am upset unreasonably,
At the giant that stands so near.
When so many times we are sucked in,
And seduced by all they try to be,
Why should we try to be them.

Big brother was born in battle,
Little sister conceived in peace.
The influences of our beginnings,
Dictate how we live and breathe.
And that is why I will never leave.

Sherry Gardner

I sincerely apologise to those who found this upsetting. What I witnessed tonight was..... unbelievably rude.  The Toronto Maple Leafs playing in New York City against the Islanders..... The crowd was asked to stand and remove their hats for the singing first of the Canadian national anthem and then the American. NO ONE could be quiet and I even heard Booing as Canada's anthem was sang. I also think that President Bush's failure to mention Canada as an ally against the war on Terrorism was unintentional but shows symptoms to the effect that we are viewed by many as just another of those united states. WE ARE NOT.

Cherish the good memories past and look forward to the adventure called Tomorrow.
But above all... be kind to yourself today.

[This message has been edited by Magicmystery (04-29-2002 01:53 AM).]

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

1 posted 2002-04-29 11:38 AM

Your poem does not offend me....
and I totally respect your right to speak your mind...all I ask is that you (and your fellow Canadians) please not judge us all by a handful of drunk moronic sports fans and a weak speech given by president who does not speak for us all. This topic has already been touched on in the Alley...there are many views and sides to this issue.
Pride of our country should always be a positive thing...until it makes us draw lines and seperates us.
I personally try not think of people by borders or nationality...perhaps because of here and how we are all one...I find my self thinking of us all as neighbors in poetry land..just a click away. Naive perhaps...but so be it.

Peace and poetry
jm

Magicmystery
Senior Member

since 2002-02-13

Posts 821
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

2 posted 2002-04-29 12:58 PM

Dear Janet, I thank you for reading, and I totally agree.... in here we are all the same. I would like to see it that way for everything. And I know that for the most part, we all want peace and unity. I just needed to get someone to understand that as a nation, we know infinitely more about the country below us than we do about our own (thanks in part to the media that floods into our lives every day) and it also seems that thanks to that same resource, Americans, in general, have a poor if not distorted picture of us.
Thanks to things like the internet, this is fading, but sometimes, especially living in a boarder town, I am afraid of being swallowed whole. I apreciate your naivity, I think it is a refreshing change.... Let's join each other there.

Love, Light and Peace,

Sherry
[This message has been edited by Magicmystery (04-29-2002 01:03 PM).]

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

3 posted 2002-04-29 05:03 PM

(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Sherry, this is absolutely heartwrenching, I too am not offended by this whatsoever, for you are speaking a very valuable point and I believe those who booed are nothing more than a bunch of cold fools and mad fans! (sad sigh) They never had the right to do that, sweet friend, I am American but I love Canada so very much too and I believe we are true sisters in nations and we should respect each other always sincerely! (kiss on cheek) God Bless You, sweet friend, this is sad but powerful, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sherry, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

4 posted 2002-04-29 05:13 PM

this was a great piece, the music made it exceptional! I'm not going to agree or disagree...but I will say that I am thinking.

bsquirrel

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-01-03

Posts 7855

5 posted 2002-04-29 05:14 PM

Your poems shines a light on ignorance. Bush could learn a thing or two from this.

alterego
Member

since 2002-02-23

Posts 113
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

6 posted 2002-04-30 11:05 PM

Daughter mine, you shine so bright,
Your compassion spreads like diamond light,
Your fury sparked, the flame so sure,
But tempered by the best of heart,
You cling to what is good and pure,
And make your stand, not apart,
But level, strong, and proud of nation,
You love to shout "I AM CANADIAN"!!!

I'm proud to have you for a daughter. You speak volumes for the rest of us who are sometimes too caught up in our petty little lives to defend what has been called by others "The best place on Earth to live". We know it. Those who would booo at us or make fun of us should be ashamed even to call themselves Americans, because that really isn't the American way either. And besides.... THE MAPLE LEAF'S BEAT THE ISLANDERS TONIGHT!!!

Magicmystery
Senior Member

since 2002-02-13

Posts 821
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

7 posted 2002-05-01 03:44 AM

Dear Noah, I appreciate your sentiment. You are always so kind. Where would the world be without sweethearts like you?.... a colder place indeed. Thank you.

Dixie, thanks for the compliment. btw the music is Enya "Storms of Africa" Her music adds something to almost every site it graces. Thinking is where most people should start....

Michael, I hope so... Ignorance in the sense of being uninformed and ignorance is the sense that there is a proper time to "boo" the opposing team other than the singing of their national anthem {{{rolling my eyes}}} Someone needs to be reminding him (Bush) not to forget the neighbours when having that big barbeque.

Hi Mom, I wondered if you would ever show up in here. I liked the poem.... now you should post some.{LOL} Ya know me... just speaking my mind... GO LEAFS!!!!

Thankyas all....

Sherry

Cherish the good memories past and look forward to the adventure called Tomorrow.
But above all... be kind to yourself today.

[This message has been edited by Magicmystery (05-01-2002 03:47 AM).]

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