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It’s going to take a miracle,
or several, to end killing
in war, in streets, in homes—
but the miracles could start out tiny:
We could offer a hand to strangers.
Pick the nearest one, and the miracle
would have them looking for you, too—
and not just here, everywhere.
Is that miracle too large? What if all
weapons turned into musical instruments
from the smallest to the tympany
and tuba? Music would burst
forth to replace bombs, knife slashes,
gunshots, and fists. And now you
tell me I’m living in a world of fantasy.
But look at the birth of any being from
whales to humans to butterflies. Can there be
anything more fantastic? Watch tall pines
grow from tiny seeds winged or unwinged,
and watch birds carry them along with
dandelion spores. Look at the million ways
species propagate and spread despite sand
and cement and poison. Note how plants
are forever cleaning the air, even when rain
is no longer innocent. You tell me we aren’t
God to balance life and death. But I
tell you, if we don't join the other animals
and the plants on the life side of balance,
if we continue to manufacture death instead,
death is what we are as the hands of God.
For Mary's prompt "Miracles" at What's Going On?
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2024 Susan L. Chast
Wonderful, Susan. I wrote on the same theme. The choice is ours. Free will has brought us to this point, but we can use it for good instead of ill. The beauty of the natural world is all around and is dedicated to life. I love your poem.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I like the way you expressed so well that making miracles is in our hands. And then you transitioned to the miracle of birth. What greater miracle is there than that! Both animal and plant species produce miracles daily. But, yes, we humans do have to take part on the side of life! And, ha, if you are living in a world of fantasy, just bring it on.....
ReplyDeleteWhat if all / weapons turned into musical instruments - I so want to join this movement...but I also want to write poetry that has lines like this "Note how plants / are forever cleaning the air, even when rain / is no longer innocent." - Wonderful, Susan...
ReplyDeleteYes perhaps we are the miracle that is needed. Great poem and almost a trumpet call to awake to our actions. Inspirational writing.
ReplyDeleteI agree about turning weapons into musical instruments – a great idea! Lots of tiny miracles would make a huge difference, too. You picked some wonderful examples of miracles, Susan.
ReplyDeleteRandom acts of kindness are so important....life saving in fact. The future is in our hands....Rall
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the image of weapons turning into musical instruments! And I completely agree--the miracles could start out tiny, to lend a hand to someone else--and, of course, to that person, it's not tiny at all.
ReplyDeleteYour opening line made me think of a song Laura Nyro recorded, "Gonna Take A Miracle." Indeed, as the Beatles sang, every one of us is all we need.
ReplyDeleteSusan, this is wonderful! "What if all weapons turned into musical instruments
ReplyDeletefrom the smallest to the tympany and tuba? " Imagine that!!! Thank you for the reminder that the smallest gesture, deed, smile (like the wing of a butterfly) can start a movement that overtakes this manufacturing of war and destruction.
I enjoyed you poem. It is like a letter to the "world." Thank you. annell
ReplyDelete"What if all
ReplyDeleteweapons turned into musical instruments
from the smallest to the tympany
and tuba?" Broke out into a smile when I read this, Susan. Such a melody we'd hear and such joyful shouts to accompany them! Every word of your poem rings true and I join my voice with yours, pleading for life not the way of death.
I think it would take a big miracle to end wars. I tend to look at the smaller miracles in my life as they give me strength and hope that the bigger miracles might manifest one day. - Truedessa
ReplyDeleteAgreed - small simple miracles to start.
ReplyDeleteYes, a small, kind gesture can begin a miracle. Your words are like earnest prayers, waiting eagerly to be granted. May music replace bombs; may all eyes open to everyday miracles. A beautiful poem, Susan.
ReplyDelete