I wrote a short poem for the new year arriving that has, I think, a positive outlook, one of determination from reflection and values that in general, are those I recall and believe in – good humanity and humanity is good, love for the other’s best and more. Beauty, art, honest spiritual inquiry and oneness with all life and living. But then there is the dark hell of Gaza – not to be outdone by dictator Putin in Ukraine. Here then is my poem, without apology. Israel’s reaction and genocidal war on Palestinians.
GAZA
Israel is dead to me
It is a rogue state.
I share no interest in it.
I once had some kind of interest.
I had Jewish friends in school.
Sorry.
Yawn factor.
I know the boring war details
I thought Israel knew OT law.
Don’t try and convince me
That this reprisal
Is necessary to bring in some
Magical prophecy fulfillment.
It is one white man
Convincing generations of other white men
That he had the goods
On god, Jesus and
The end of the world.
Arrogance not insight.
Monotheisms continue to crusade
Superior “god’s on our side”
Mantras.
Power corrupts.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
God is always present.
And loves.
In all three.
And in all the others.
Be a Buddhist if it slows you down!
Whatever your Sunday school teacher told you.
Same god.
Different symbol.
Same god different “manifestations”
Same god different
just different.
But when love is born
Again and again
Under whatever symbol
As the writer said when love is present
Then so is God
And you are close.
Oneness is born over and over again.
There is no need for Bethlehem idolatry.
There is no need for Jesus tourism.
There is no need to kill the children
In some kind of herodian power play
Blowing kids to bits.
I saw it in Cambodia.
Let the children and the women lead us.
God have mercy.
Peter Breen 2023
Peteskibreen's Blog 