Who Is Blameless?
These days, whatever your nationality or political leaning, it’s easy to feel a sense of despondency about the condition of our world.
- American leaders blame Arab extremists.
- Arabs accuse the West.
- The Jews fault the Muslims.
- Iran suspects Christians.
- Democrats indict Republicans.
- Republicans blame China.
- China complains about American liberals.
- Liberals point to Conservatives.
- Christian conservatives say it’s God’s will.
In our fear and anger, we all demand action, but when it’s time for action, we ask indignantly,
Who me? What can I do?
These issues have informed my poetry for the past several years as I have struggled with the world’s increasing violence and injustice. As a woman, I have wondered why families must bear the burden of self-serving political decisions. As a progressive, I have wished for visionary leaders. As a storyteller, I have wanted to help people see our common story. As a writer, I have felt compelled to put my words to work. As a spiritual person, I have longed to speak out in the name of peace.
This past summer, I took a step forward and submitted a collection of poems that considered all those issues. The title is Under a Blameless Moon. To my delight, it won the Pudding House Innovative Writers Poetry Chapbook Competition and was recently published. It is available for purchase at the Pudding House website, and you can buy signed copies at my InSpiritry online shop.
The poems are not for the faint-hearted. There are images of Jerusalem and the West Bank, a note from a suicide bomber, a visit to a prison, a walk down a long road for water. But there are also visions of hope: a preschool teacher and her precious students, a woman who has opened her heart, a poet who sees possibilities, an invitation to come home, a prayer.
While I am proud of the reception the collection has gotten from literary readers, I am most proud to be affirmed by those who believe in peace, people who tell me how these poems articulate their own journeys.
Peacemaking is needed more now than ever. Won’t you join me in taking a courageous path to making this a better world?
- Be willing to look directly into the darkness of the truth.
- Open your heart to understand without judgment.
- Accept your own complicity in the world’s dilemmas.
- Use the amazing power within you to make a difference.
- Encourage one another in hope and love.
When We Stop Blaming Others, We Can Be a Blessing!
- ONE GRATEFUL NOTE: Writer and Publisher, Neil Ellis Orts, at NeoNuma Arts, has written a short heartfelt review of Under a Blameless Moon. It affirms my belief that with our words, we can inspire each other!
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