We often hear talk of a
world of war, of destruction
of poverty, of violence, of famine,
of racism, of sexism, or other ‘isms
population explosion, resource depletion
a world where animals
are dying and not coming back
of environmental depletion, of starvation,
of disease, of us and them,
of that group not listening to that group
IF only men would do this
IF only women would do that,
IF only they would do this,
You NEED to do that
You SHOULD do this.
I don’t know about you
but I sometimes feel
lost in it all.
…Like I’m yelling and nobody’s listening
Like I’m yelling to the world
at the end of a broad valley
far away from all people
and nobody even hears me
Like I’m feeling lots
but sometimes it feels like too much…
Like if I stop feeling, it would be
like giving up…
Like if I give up
I would feel worse..
because then I AM alone..
and have lost “ME.”
Do you feel this way?
[Do me a favour and raise your arm a little
or nod, or smile if you can relate]
How does one respond?
How do WE make sense of it all?
Maybe it IS all senseless.
Have you thought of this?
Does it make sense to make sense…
of the senseless?
Maybe what we accept as actual
is sick beyond scale
That there are conversations
to be convened…
to talk about what’s occurring.
Who’s willing to call forth these conversations?
For instance…
Is it simply me or is there a sickness
of addiction, or greed around dollars
and power?
That those with great means or MORE
are seen as better?
That those who make vast dollars
and contribute to the “ECONOMY”
are great people
and deserving of their station?
That we give status those who are stealing
in all nations?
I ask…
how is it great to do so
while calling forth strife…
of people, of the environment,
of communities – of LIFE?
How do we allow this?
These costs are not included
in the price we pay.
They are like hidden ghosts
moaning discontent
like skulls being scuttled aside
birds no longer heard
water no longer clean
like souls lost in the in-between
I see the sacred cow before us
that if not discussed
poise us for pain
pain producing more pain.
It is a vicious cycle
riding us into oblivion
an escape into experiential madness
unhappiness unending
dreams discarded
Is there any misunderstanding
that there is so much escape,
so much addiction, hope tossed around
like someone’s toy
rather than the
precious object it is.
Are you still with me?
Do you feel the unhappiness, the pain,
the grief, that I feel?
I see it like a vast
amount of fuel
ready to light
the fire of passion
and possibility.
Do you also see?
I haven’t lost hope.
Will you stay with me just
a little bit longer?
What is the antidote?
Your passion…Your care…Your love.
I am asking you to
have the courage
to acknowledge your feelings
state your truth
be yourself
follow your heart and
what you believe in
Take a risk.
Entertain the pain
AND the joy
that is humanity
and the human experience.
I actually believe in people
though my belief has been be-lied.
That there are those inspiring and instigating
a world of positive potential and possibility.
Or at least trying.
They haven’t given up.
There are models that support
values of care, of community,
of conserving our planet.
We CAN currently feed everyone on the planet.
We choose not to by our acceptance
of current “this-is-the-way-it-is” complacency
Would you let your friend starve to death
beside you?
So I say to you…
It is ok not to know
It is ok to feel how you feel
though at times tough to tackle.
Your worth is not at question here,
(you are inherently worthy).
Your worth is NOT at question here,
you are inherently worthy.
I am questioning though
what you want for our world
Listening, I hear my own voice.
Listening, I am deeply committed
to hearing yours.
David Norget – R+R Facilitator, Counselor
Photographs by: Megan Manning
meganmanningphotography.weebly.com
