Violence – noblethemes

No More to Live by the Sword

Bullets fly, blood flows, and screams ascend to shatter the peace of heaven
As we leaven our lives with sacrificed innocence unattended by penitence
In wars we fight day and night, continuing the horrifying plight of people
All this world over, sending children to graves enslaving their very souls
Till at last we battle for peace in a peaceful combat without mad violence
In quietness yet with determination to save ourselves from extermination
No matter opposition from proprietors of conflict inflicting pain for gain
And surely splendid love in all her glory will heal this war-weary world

Blood of Innocence: We Weep

Tanaga Tuesday

Streets flow with rivers of blood
And tears for lost innocence,
But do we make some pretense
Of concern for victimhood?

How now, then, will we respond
To such senseless violence
And screams from an ambulance
Answering hatred hell-spawned?

Can we not look for the day
When peace reigns in every heart
And all choose the better part
In pure love without dismay?

For now, though, we weep in pain,
Seeing again victims dead,
And feeling such awful dread,
Knowing this is all insane

Note: The Tanaga is a Filipino stanzaic form that was originally written in Tagolog. The form dates back to the 16th century and has an oral tradition. Syllabic with 7 syllables per line in any number of quatrains. Originally rhymed aaaa bbbb cccc etc., modern Tanagas also use aabb ccdd etc or abba cddc etc or any combination rhyme can be used.

For the Victims of El Paso and Dayton

Monday Muses

Muse of Peace: Pen some song of serenity to sing over the world, and let the banner of love be unfurled in the hearts of people everywhere

Muse of Love: Yes, and let peace reign without shame everywhere sun and moon shine to pierce the darkness of bitterness, blessing earth like fine old wine

Muse of Wisdom: Open up the Book of Divinely Human knowledge to look once again to lessons learned, to begin again to live without sin against neighbor and friend

Muse of Beauty: Open up eyes of the soul to behold what is noble, lovely and true in this world ever-renewed, and bathe in simplicity without duplicity

Muse of Creativity: Mimic the Creator in creation of what is good and right and delicately appealing, what is understood and bright and genuinely healing

Muse of Labor: Yes, and labor to bring everlasting love down from heaven above in the spirit of reconciliation, cooperation and concord among humanity

Muse of Truth: And never forget or compromise what is truly true even when too few stand with you against the wave of anger, animosity and dangerous ferocity

Thus have these Muses spoken this day, especially in sadness and sympathy with prayers for the victims of two monstrous mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. And may the Spirit of Light and Life and Love comfort their grieving friends and family.