“I’m always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both.” (Death) Markus Zusah, The Book Thief

“I’m always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both.”
(Death)
Markus Zusah, The Book Thief


This Easter finds me back in Cornwall with my elderly parents and siblings, who travelled as far as Australia to gather together. Spring is in full magnificence here with bluebells and wild primroses adorning the hedgerows, and campions spearheading through the glorious golden gorse.
I arrived shortly before the “Pink moon”, which I watched rise in full haloed glory over the coast above Rame Head, Cornwall. As the moon rose, and shone its silvery light across the calm sea, I wondered at how stunning the world is, yet how vulnerable we all are.
I thought about who might have their finger on the nuclear button.
I am unable to comprehend the unfathomable evil the human race is capable of, yet they have such capacity for limitless kindness and endless love.


Easter taps into my childhood memories bringing visions of primrose processions into church, and hymns of paschal joy and hallelujahs. But in my adult years,it represents to me change and rebirth, the miracle of nature, bringing gardens and the countryside to life after a long winter’s sleep.
I went to church with my parents partly out of respect for them, and partly because I enjoy the Easter tradition, celebrating in the beautiful setting of St John’s church, built in 1605.
I also decided what better time to pray for redemption in the light of the current political climate.
However, the sermon was unexpectedly different from the traditional Easter story, and it validated my own ruminating thoughts.
The local Vicar used to be a Naval man, and he delivered a sermon unlike any I have heard before. He expressed grave concern for the state of the world, and the recent dire threat of nuclear war. He labelled behaviors of both leaders of North Korea and of America as narcissistic, and egotistical, and prayed that they would back down from their lethal posturing, and provocative bullying. He criticized imperialism and the proliferation of hatred. He said that no matter what religion or tradition or culture a human being belongs to, war is not the answer. Only the practice of Love can bring about world peace.
I looked down at my Hymnal, and these words jumped out at me from one of the Easter hymns...
My flesh in hope shall rest,
and for the season slumber,
Till Trump from east to west,
shall wake the dead in number.

A chilling reminder of the current state of affairs...
 
I remembered a poem that I wrote two years ago, and decided to introduce it here.
I am talking to the world, like it is an old man, wondering how come we never learn from our mistakes, how it seems our religions cannot save us from ourselves….
I will end this short blog entry with pictures of beautiful England, and reminders of the kinder side of the human condition.


My poem is titled,
Precious World
 (You can listen to my rendition on sound cloud here…
https://soundcloud.com/susan-golden/singaling-precious-world)


Precious world, are you so old 
that memory begins to fail you?
As news unfurls, and stories told 
let testimony blackmail you ? 

For centuries man repeats his crimes
against himself and those who follow
Have you not learned from all those times
the poison you've been forced to swallow? 


Oh sweet earth, oh gentle soil
the sun drenched land of Allah blessed
Embrace those blood soaked souls who spoil
the land with their murderous quest


And Yahweh, where are you my friend?
While Drones take flight in hidden guise
The Western  hemisphere defends
by spying and striking through Hawk's eyes


The Buddha sits, but still as stone
gazing on through World's own eyes
One with all, and all with one,
Yet powerless 'mongst bloodthirsty cries


And Jesus, did you die for naught?
What say you, to this violence?
Suffer your children to be taught 
yet sacrifice their innocence?


Precious World, have you not learned
The folly of an eye for eye?
Have you not learned from your mistakes
That suffer millions to die?


Is the Revelation come?
to cleanse our sins and bring new Grace
Instead of, "to a Creed succumb”?
Let's  idolize ONE HUMAN RACE.

One human race for compassion
One human race ! Take up the fight!
Let us rise up with common passion
and fight for love and joy and light


No Gods, no dogma, let's say “Amen”
The power of Peace amongst ALL men 


( I am cutting this blog short because I have had the worst technical difficulties posting for two weeks. I will post some pictures to demonstrate the beauty of this world and push the publish button. ...
I apologize for not being able to finish this as I had wanted, but I have struggled with it long enough. I hope you had a wonderful Easter, and am hoping and praying for a peaceful solution to the world's conflicts. )

“Life throws challenges and every challenge comes with rainbows and lights to conquer it.” 
― Amit Ray, World Peace: The Voice of a Mountain Bird