Susan Chast's Mid Week Motif.
ingenious
creative
the artist
his fingers dance
delicate fairy steps
on the rims of wine glasses
lined up in rows
lined up in rows
christians
about to be beheaded
the sea - red stained glass
washing on to the shore
http://myocn.net/isis-beheads-21-coptic-orthodox-christians-people-cross/
I am astounded by the music in the glasses. Wow! And then, below, the photo of those brave souls, awaiting execution is just horrible. No idea how people can do such things in the name of religion and think it's just. My old heart gets so weary.
ReplyDeleteIf you read the Koran it is perfectly understandable.They are only behaving in accordance to the precepts of their creed. Islam is not a religion of peace. It is the antithesis of the precepts of the New Testament. People raised in western culture which is based on Christian values, enshrined in law, think everyone is, and thinks the same way. In Islamic countries people think differently. What is more, they are happy with the way they think .Thus the reason they do not live successfully with other cultures and creeds.
ReplyDeleteA lot of Muslim writers disagree with this, Rall. Islamic peoples I've met are extremely upset about beheadings, insurgents and the constant state of war. It's true that I've only come to know Islamic people in schools and universities, but my experience has been good. And I have come to great compassion for the inhabitants of the Gaza area who die as shields for some among them and take the brunt of Israeli attacks. I gather that your experience is pretty different from mine!
DeleteIf you are indoctrinated with a belief system that promotes violence and hatred of Jews and other religions then it is the religion that is at fault not its compulsory membership.
DeleteIronically it is illegal in this country and in the UK to incite violence but it is not illegal to practise a religion that incites violence. In the west Muslims enjoy freedom. Presumably that is why they come here . In Islamic countries they do not. I can imagine that educated Muslims would be upset at the bad press Islam is getting but the problem goes much deeper than this. A great deal of hypocrisy is upheld in all religions. If the basic precepts are abhorrent to you....then in the West you are permitted to reject the religion you were born into. Culturally that is too difficult for many people ...as their identity traditions and ties are understandably bound up with it .
My response is not based on personal experience....it is based on the precepts of Islam as expressed in the Koran. They are antithetic to my understanding of human rights. I lived in a Muslim area for a few years and my neighbours were very honest people. Knowing I was a Christian would they have beheaded me at any given time at the bequest of an Imam.?...I have no idea .
It always amazes me to see folks playing glass in this way! Beautiful.
ReplyDeletePainful image below and I'm grateful for your comment to Sherry...it does shed light on that way of thinking...they're acting out of their level of consciousness and out of a place called religion.
Thank you.
Religion is imposed in Islamic countries. Apostasy ( abandoning one's religion) is a
ReplyDeletedeath penalty offense in Sharia Law.
Beautiful/horrible images juxtaposed ... both about a kind of art ... chilling! And of course the music is a delight. Unfortunately, I stated the music before I read the poem, so red about the stained glass sea to the chiming sounds. That created another stark contrast which I am certain you meant.
ReplyDeleteYes...contrast...the difference between good and yes I am calling it evil...!
ReplyDeletepicture of heaven and hell..."the sea - red stained glass / washing on to the shore"...there's infinite sadness and horror in the lines... the contrast is heartbreaking...however the music is delightful...
ReplyDeleteHard to believe this only happened a few days ago. May they RIP and may the senseless slaughter of innocent people stop.!
ReplyDelete...and sadly that so many of these people who are being burned to death (at least 2000 in one day several weeks ago) is being downplayed and under-reported.
DeleteStatistically Christians at the moment, are the most persecuted religious group in the world and no one gives a damn ! Is it because they are not white Christians who are being persecuted ... , I wonder !
DeleteWhat a contrast between the first and last verse and images...the world is insane for sure...
ReplyDeleteSometimes the people are played just like the glasses.
ReplyDeleteWhat a mess we have and I thank you for your honesty that is unwilling to back down. We can't excuse these atrocities or we will become monsters.
ReplyDeleteConscience....if you do not speak out, you have to be prepared to live with that !
ReplyDeleteLovely music, lovely poem, though sad. I like how your poem instigated conversation. It also inspires me to read the Koran so I understand more.
ReplyDeleteYour contrasting poems and photos give me also two different feelings....and make me sad at the end....
ReplyDeleteThe contrast here is astounding to say the least. Your writing is heavy indeed.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder the wild beasts of the world are so scared of humanity as we sow the seeds of our own destruction in the elimination of the worlds resources funded by greed and in the hatred promoted with our own kind that achieves no purpose whatsoever. Clearly we have problems in achieving sustainability and our solution appears to be end it all by whatever means are possible.
ReplyDelete