war – Prayers, Poems, and Christian Ponderings

Fire-followers

Today’s poem comes from The New Yorker Poetry podcast https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/poetry June 25 edition. The link will take you to a full appreciation and explanation of this amazing poem by Hala Alyon. Wikipedia writes the following – Hala Alyon born July 27, 1986 is a Palestinian-American writer, poet, and clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma, addiction, andContinue reading “Fire-followers”

“We’ll be at home again”

We often hear ourselves say to one another. – these are terrible times. Yet our “terrible times” fail to grasp just how terrible life has been and continues to be for so many. It is easy to be drawn down into the deep hole of despair and depression which casts so little light on theContinue reading ““We’ll be at home again””

Kenosis – Self-emptying of God

Sadly, what I wrote this time last year seems to be the most appropriate words to post today. With one small edit I repost from last year. – The spontaneous ceasefire on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 1914 came about as British, Belgian, and French soldiers put down their weapons and climbed out of theirContinue reading “Kenosis – Self-emptying of God”

“I wish we never had to wish”

Earlier this week I stood in line to cast my “vote” in early voting. The line was long, stretching outside of my local library. Once inside the library, the line wrapped around the perimeter of the book shelves. I felt fortunate that as I passed the shelves for preordered books there was one with myContinue reading ““I wish we never had to wish””

The Fish

Do you remember the first time you were served fish with the head still on. There it was, presented to you and the eye of the fish looking straight at you, inviting a conversation, or at least a brief “hello.” I often to turn to Billy Collins when I am looking for a lighter mood,Continue reading “The Fish”

“Spools of Suffering”

Once upon a time, it took a little time to capture an image with the camera. Such “time” allowed for a little separation between what was captured and what our eye would now behold. Today, war photography spares no time, no separation, no breath between capturing another’s last breath and our own next breath! TheContinue reading ““Spools of Suffering””

Then and Now!

We had hoped that the lesson of the Christmas truce in 1914 would serve us all. Alas! We had hoped that WWI might have been the war that ended all wars. Alas! Today, just days before Christmas we have another war raging in Europe. Alas! Although this outrageous war is confined for now within theContinue reading “Then and Now!”

Toy Factory

Today is “Black Friday” and so shopping for Christmas is now in earnest! Stores are crammed full with both goods and people and many will make their way back to their cars with arms laden with gifts which will soon be wrapped and then unwrapped. Toys played with until they are broken or the batteryContinue reading “Toy Factory”

Maps!

We find ourselves almost halfway through the season of Lent as we gradually and most assuredly move toward Easter. Sadly, as I write there are not many things we can be sure about as the horror of war grows even more horrific for so many in Ukraine. I turn to the work of the poetContinue reading “Maps!”

After every war…

This continues to be an awful time as we live through such an atrocity. War never has winners. I am bereft of words. My heart feels such pain and I feel so isolated and helpless, day after day I watch the agony of innocent families trying to escape yet desperate to return to their homeland.Continue reading “After every war…”