Well done as always, Avigail. It's almost as if our national leaders want us to shut done and drop out, leaving them freer to continue their selfish and destructive ways. I pray that the Gazans and people everywhere can resist this and come together through their spirits to push back the dark forces.
Thank you so much. I very much appreciate such positive feedback.
This is exactly what our so-called ‘leaders’ want. In fact, neoliberalism as an economic and social ideology would rather keep people numb and docile so that they do not stand up against injustices and for their fellow humans who are less fortunate under this deadening and dead way of life. The ‘trickle down’ economics is really a bunch of predators swimming around with little dependent fish living off the scraps the predators leave behind. It’s a living. It is also a disgrace and a betrayal of what humans are capable of. The Gazans need humanity to stand together. We must refuse to be divided by self-serving ‘leaders’. Soldiers everywhere should lay down their weapons and refuse to fight. We are one species, facing global challenges, and we all want to grow to our potential. Our divisions are an illusion. I wish more people woke up to this. Look at those voters in France flocking to a fascist, divisive, party. What a pity.
Joy, I am embarrassed to say that I have never heard of Carol Ann Duffy. She is even Scottish I had no idea about her. Therefore, a double thank you for drawing my attention to her. I have just read this: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/carol-ann-duffy How fascinating. I will get some of her books now. I have always loved reading poetry. A.
I, too, am a poet. Maybe someday there’ll come a time for sharing. In past times, there were anti-war poets and anthologies. I haven’t seen any yet for Gaza.
Thank you so much Joy. What a poem! Thanks for being a part of the Book Club and now also subscribing to my essays.
Humanity’s behaviour is hideous, which is why it is so important that we make connections with one another. Being alone with all of this can cause us to get sucked into the ‘darkness’ and think that this is how things are and always will be. But there a lot of good people too. We just have to find a way to stop giving power to the wrong people.
Do look after yourself and thank you for being on the moral and ethical side of human history. A. 🙏🏼
As the wonderful science fiction author Frank Herbert wrote “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death which brings total obliteration “. Fear is the control mechanism used by the assorted narcissists and sociopaths masquerading as leaders around our threatened planet. Once again, Avigail’s prescient article and its latest iteration shine a bright light and offer courage and encouragement for activists everywhere 👍💚
Well done as always, Avigail. It's almost as if our national leaders want us to shut done and drop out, leaving them freer to continue their selfish and destructive ways. I pray that the Gazans and people everywhere can resist this and come together through their spirits to push back the dark forces.
Thank you so much. I very much appreciate such positive feedback.
This is exactly what our so-called ‘leaders’ want. In fact, neoliberalism as an economic and social ideology would rather keep people numb and docile so that they do not stand up against injustices and for their fellow humans who are less fortunate under this deadening and dead way of life. The ‘trickle down’ economics is really a bunch of predators swimming around with little dependent fish living off the scraps the predators leave behind. It’s a living. It is also a disgrace and a betrayal of what humans are capable of. The Gazans need humanity to stand together. We must refuse to be divided by self-serving ‘leaders’. Soldiers everywhere should lay down their weapons and refuse to fight. We are one species, facing global challenges, and we all want to grow to our potential. Our divisions are an illusion. I wish more people woke up to this. Look at those voters in France flocking to a fascist, divisive, party. What a pity.
Thank you Avigail. I’ve joined you after the Book Club today.
Very important topic of keeping those who care from crashing and burning out.
Your mention of the war photographer reminded me of the poem by Carol Ann Duffy. Perhaps you know it?
War Photographer
In his dark room he is finally alone
with spools of suffering set out in ordered rows.
The only light is red and softly glows,
as though this were a church and he
a priest preparing to intone a Mass.
Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh. All flesh is grass.
He has a job to do. Solutions slop in trays
beneath his hands, which did not tremble then
though seem to now. Rural England. Home again
to ordinary pain which simple weather can dispel,
to fields which don't explode beneath the feet
of running children in a nightmare heat.
Something is happening. A stranger's features
faintly start to twist before his eyes,
a half-formed ghost. He remembers the cries
of this man's wife, how he sought approval
without words to do what someone must
and how the blood stained into foreign dust.
A hundred agonies in black and white
from which his editor will pick out five or six
for Sunday's supplement. The reader's eyeballs prick
with tears between the bath and pre-lunch beers.
From the aeroplane he stares impassively at where
he earns his living and they do not care.
Joy, I am embarrassed to say that I have never heard of Carol Ann Duffy. She is even Scottish I had no idea about her. Therefore, a double thank you for drawing my attention to her. I have just read this: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/carol-ann-duffy How fascinating. I will get some of her books now. I have always loved reading poetry. A.
I, too, am a poet. Maybe someday there’ll come a time for sharing. In past times, there were anti-war poets and anthologies. I haven’t seen any yet for Gaza.
Looking forward to reading your poetry when the time comes. I think there have been poems from Palestinian poets, but I am not sure. 🙏
Thank you so much Joy. What a poem! Thanks for being a part of the Book Club and now also subscribing to my essays.
Humanity’s behaviour is hideous, which is why it is so important that we make connections with one another. Being alone with all of this can cause us to get sucked into the ‘darkness’ and think that this is how things are and always will be. But there a lot of good people too. We just have to find a way to stop giving power to the wrong people.
Do look after yourself and thank you for being on the moral and ethical side of human history. A. 🙏🏼
🙏🙏
As the wonderful science fiction author Frank Herbert wrote “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death which brings total obliteration “. Fear is the control mechanism used by the assorted narcissists and sociopaths masquerading as leaders around our threatened planet. Once again, Avigail’s prescient article and its latest iteration shine a bright light and offer courage and encouragement for activists everywhere 👍💚