following a severe wind and rain storm tuesday evening,
my household lost its power.
all night and through the morning.
12-1/2 hours of darkness.
i don’t like the darkness.
it’s uncomfortable and frightening.
i keep hoping for the light.
it’s been a sad week,
thinking of the innocent victims
in paris and around the world.
all of the lives and livelihoods shattered as a result.
i thought of voicing my opinion.
but you know what?
i’m tired of hearing opinions.
about paris.
about muslims.
about foreign policy.
about religion.
about retaliation.
clashing and lecturing and arguing and expounding.
i don’t like the darkness.
it’s uncomfortable and frightening.
i keep hoping for the light.
scattered reflections greet me each day and leave their impressions . . .
*the juxtaposition of the politicians’ words:
- “barbaric, an atrocious horror, an abomination” (the paris attacks)
- “merciless, a strong crush, the right thing” (the syrian strikes)
*the video of the soccer players:
- hearing the loud explosion, their confused faces
*the images of the syrian refugee children:
- sleeping on the pavement or in the forest, their hollow eyes
*the numbers:
- 129 dead and 352 wounded in paris
- 115,000 police and army personnel mobilized across france
*the poignancy of john lennon’s imagine lyrics:
- musician davide martello setting up a piano outside the bataclan
- coldplay’s cover at a stripped-down livestream concert
*the french father and his young son:
- “leaving the flowers to fight against the guns”
*the future for two young men:
- my sons, fighting or free
although i’m rather apolitical,
i do have strong opinions about these issues.
i’m offering none of them today.
like so many others, i wish for peace.
for humans to be treated humanely by other humans.
for countries to end the divisiveness and dissension.
for freedoms to stop slipping through my fingers.
i don’t like the darkness.
it’s uncomfortable and frightening.
i keep hoping for the light.
imagine there’s no countries
it isn’t hard to do
nothing to kill or die for
and no religion too
imagine all the people
living life in peace
you may say i’m a dreamer
but i’m not the only one
i hope someday you’ll join us
and the world will be as one
i’ve experienced the beauty and culture of paris.
its rich history,
its romantic enchantment,
its cosmopolitan flair.
it’s held both fashion week and bloodshed through the years.
“i like the eiffel tower because it looks like steel and lace.”
-natalie lloyd
i like that about it too.
strong yet delicate.
representing paris, the city of light.
on the continent i will soon call home.
i don’t like the darkness.
it’s uncomfortable and frightening.
i keep hoping for the light.
*******
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and i think part of the answer to all of the current devastating events may lie in “having our inner power restored . . .”
AMEN!! Gorgeous post, April! Perfectly stated, and like you, I have opinions which I have kept to myself. I have to admit however that my fingertips were twitching at times to argue someone else’s. Yet, arguing and fighting will not solve these world problems. Thank you for sharing this incredibly important message!!
as always, thank you for your lovely input, april.
I, too, am weary of opinion and as I felt the myriad feelings arise in me this past week I could see that the work I had before me was of a very personal nature. I am reaching for the light. xxoo
yes, weariness does set in . . . but i am encouraged by how many have responded by saying they too are reaching for the light. thanks, sue ann.
We are all saddened by the tragic events of the world. We must do what we can to bring joy and happiness to those around us. Thank you for sharing your eloquent words.
i appreciate your words, lori.
Thank you for sharing this potent message, April! I have definitely been keeping quiet about my opinions and really trying to focus on staying positive. There is so much darkness in the world…but also light to remember and see us through.
always trying to offset the darkness with a ray of light . . . thank you for visiting my site, janine, and for sharing your insights.
Like it…I feel I can bring more positive energy to the world by working hard and loving others than getting stuck in complaining or overanalyzing mode..
you’ve said it, erin. working hard, loving others . . . those are the things that will bring us closer to a more peaceful world.