01 September 2014

War//Faith



It is what it is despite protest,
resistance and debate. 

Wisdom says to meet through
surrender, not struggle.

To glow as sun rather than blow
an angry wind; to yield.

Cold war ends as hot war revives
and God is always present.

But surrender?  Righteousness forbid!
Only God has mercy. Afterward.

Surrender?  Such learned ignorance always
asked of women, slaves, enemies.

Given what is what it is, will men surrender
too to save their children?

Given what is what it is, will surrender 
suffice for both faith and war?






Copyright © 2014  S.L.Chast





30 comments:

  1. as i commented back at dverse...there is always a third way but it would mean giving up on things they hold as true...or things they hold dear...and though it may be for the greater good...our beliefs often keep us constrained to a box...

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  2. its something that will continue to remain as a question and be questioned by us who are mere bystanders. Surrender of what? i may say ego but they may call it wishes and dreams. you ave captured in very poignantly and i liked how you have left it open...

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  3. You ask powerful questions here. If people, cultures, countries could see the humanity in others and seek to understand, rather than fear, we might have a chance.

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  4. Highly symbolic lines The Use of 'She' can have a variety of connotations -if war is a crime then may God forgive bestow justice and show mercy.If surrender is the question ' women surrender - 'men succumb'
    If men were responsible there would be less wars -but again it is a debatable point.

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  5. It does seem that humans have a hard time surrendering when righteousness is involved. Unfortunately, when every side feels righteous there seems little possibility for any to surrender or to even compromise. So much to think about in your words, Susan.

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  6. It seems it is as difficult, even more so maybe, to end a war than to start one. Why is it so hard for men to surrender? I believe that misplaced pride often plays a key role.

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  7. I find it chilling when a middle way is frowned upon, when compromise is seen as weakness, and diplomacy is cowardly. The world is to complicated for simplicity.

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  8. thought provoking piece. what does it take to surrender..who's to judge righteousness.

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  9. To surrender is to avoid further pains of war. But the consequences determined by the victors may not be painless though. A pity! Great write Susan!

    Hank

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  10. so thought provoking Susan...who surrenders always surrenders..learned ignorance is such a gem of an expression here...

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  11. Lots of questions. I have no answers. Not polite ones, anyway.

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  12. Surrender doesn't appeal but nothing to do with war should be done in God's name.

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  13. ' To glow as sun rather than blow
    an angry wind'

    I liked that part.

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  14. Deep questions for an unsettled time. Frightening time. What IS best to do?

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  15. You asked very complex questions Susan ~ Every side will always think and believe that they are right to wage war ~ I hope men will surrender to save the children and future of the nation ~

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  16. Excellent thought provoking piece.
    ZQ

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  17. Truly profound ... so appropriate for this disturbing time...

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  18. Wisdom says to meet through
    surrender, not struggle.

    To glow as sun rather than blow
    an angry wind; to yield.

    This is brilliantly expressed, Susan.

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  19. Very important questions asked at the end.

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  20. Your poem goes straight to my heart. Today I'm feeling anxious, faithless?, fearful of all the wars and sides of faith that are manifesting in this world. Your poem gives me some comfort or at least lets me know I'm not alone with my questions.

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  21. Stunning words that have me in deep thought. I think the word surrender is what trips people up....but it is meant to yield in a more profound way...a deeper way.

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  22. There must be tremors in many minds as they visualise the consequences of the latest action. Let's hope we will be able to remember this time with honour not disgust. I hope we are fighting for the innocent people and not for something underground.

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  23. Susan,

    An age old quandary, without a real answer. The blending of religious fervour and war, seems to be an excuse for acts of violence, all across the world...I know from my Northern Ireland roots, that religion was in fact a cheap excuse for hatred...Murderers are mostly absent from praying and contrition..

    Eileen

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  24. A poem that makes one pause and reflect will war ever really end???

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  25. I guess, surrendering will be possible when not one person but the whole army instead of going outward turn inward to face the love, the light of creator, remembering who we are at first place...then no guns needed - utopia? ~ thanks for bringing this theme to us ~ excellent poem! xx

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  26. I would be so wonderful if we could all define surrender in the same way... if all sides could just see the suffering certain behaviors bring to all... if we all showed mercy "afterward."

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  27. these are some deep questions, Susan. perhaps there are no right or wrong answers. maybe even no answers. it depends on who is in power, who the enemies are, why a war is being waged.
    you're right. only God has mercy.

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  28. A very thought provoking one...
    Surrendering is often regarded cowardice.
    But, sometimes surrendering calls for more courage!

    Good one!

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  29. I wonder will it suffice...I continue to hope they will see the courage needed to take the path to peace

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