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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Lightness of Being

each day
you wage a thousand wars
to preserve the nation of yourself

to defend your freedom
to lie down in your bed

you are a good country
responsible, alert
so you

marshal your resources
govern your thoughts
safeguard your borders
discipline your troops

you exercise vigilance
moment by moment
in every transaction
every choice, every plan
no wonder you’re weary
of fighting the war

stop now
and rest
notice light plays
in a window
it wanders
and dances
through wars
without ceasing



Prompted by the Poetry Jam, "Photograph a still life and write about it."

14 comments:

Rachel Fox said...

I enjoyed this one. Especially the end idea.
x

the walking man said...

Good piece Chris...but my nation was secured from outside forces decades ago, yet at the same time the blades of war have not yet been beaten to plowshares. Maybe in another generation.

e said...

I love the light in this photo...Have a good week!

Mary said...

I like the poem that arose from your still life picture. And so true about light....it does wander and dance through everything including wars. I would say light's message is: There is always hope. A fine write.

twinkly sparkles said...

Very nice, Chris. Your poem spoke to me.

Brian Miller said...

smiles. i like the message in this and how you creatively bring it out there in the end chris...nice jam

The Noiseless Cuckooclock said...

rest now, prayers.
what a powerful tribe.

Margaret said...

notice light plays
in a window
it wanders
and dances
through wars
without ceasing

Oh, that is just lovely. And I love the photo, too.

Grace-WorkinProgress said...

I use to think I had to be constant in my search for perfection but now, not so much.

Beautiful poem.

Karen said...

Unexpected and original, as always. Good work!

RNSANE said...

So lovely, Chris, glad I took a break from packing and stopped by. I was so well rewarded.

izzy said...

Very true and well put! Hopefully we can choose not to grab a hold of
too many 'negatives'- Have a great week!

Helen said...

Chris, this is lovely. 'Stop now and rest' my favorite words.

Syd said...

I wish that we would stop and rest from the wars. We are past due.