Walls, among 'live' Metaphors
We often hear talk of moral courage, and it is to be applauded, but standing up for what we believe in is not always the same as standing up for the rights of everyone in the same corner we are fighting. The recent shutdown of the U.S. Government over funding for a wall across the border with Mexico, the continuing impasse at Stormont in Northern Ireland and the Brexit fiasco in the British Parliament are but a few examples of how our so-called ‘betters’ should not lead by example.
Meanwhile ...
Parents in West Yorkshire, UK, came up against another such wall only recently. Kirklees Council debated the supply of non-stun halal meat to 43 schools. in West Yorkshire; this, after receiving a petition of almost 8,000 parents expressing concern over animal welfare. Various councillors - including Green Party members who voted with Labour colleagues - sided with the pro-cruelty lobby on the grounds that it supports diversity. Perhaps they can explain what diversity has to do with either animal welfare ... or freedom of choice, such as so far denied the schoolchildren concerned?
In most if not all cases of intransigence across the whole spectrum of issues plaguing various societies worldwide, where there's a will there is invariably a way; it is called compromise. Sadly, where compromise means having to agree to differ and act for the better of all rather than some (or self) this puts 'will' in a position too many of our so-called 'betters' are unwilling to accept.
This poem is a villanelle.
WALLS, AMONG 'LIVE' METAPHORS
At a wall dripping blood and tears
find world democracies' sins well-met,
live metaphor for the world’s fears
Where true democracy disappears,
political ambition refuting its social debt
at a wall dripping blood and tears
Wherever love-and-peace, it veers
away, find agents conspiring to thwart;
live metaphor for the world fears
Divisions perpetuated for years
driven further apart since last ill-met
at a wall dripping blood and tears
Where time’s kinder mist clears,
discern guards with orders to shoot on sight;
live metaphor for the world’s fears
It's Freedom’s fair head that rears,
to debate any socio-cultural-religious tenet
at a wall dripping blood and tears,
live metaphor for the world’s fears
Copyright R N Taber 2019
Meanwhile ...
Parents in West Yorkshire, UK, came up against another such wall only recently. Kirklees Council debated the supply of non-stun halal meat to 43 schools. in West Yorkshire; this, after receiving a petition of almost 8,000 parents expressing concern over animal welfare. Various councillors - including Green Party members who voted with Labour colleagues - sided with the pro-cruelty lobby on the grounds that it supports diversity. Perhaps they can explain what diversity has to do with either animal welfare ... or freedom of choice, such as so far denied the schoolchildren concerned?
In most if not all cases of intransigence across the whole spectrum of issues plaguing various societies worldwide, where there's a will there is invariably a way; it is called compromise. Sadly, where compromise means having to agree to differ and act for the better of all rather than some (or self) this puts 'will' in a position too many of our so-called 'betters' are unwilling to accept.
This poem is a villanelle.
WALLS, AMONG 'LIVE' METAPHORS
At a wall dripping blood and tears
find world democracies' sins well-met,
live metaphor for the world’s fears
Where true democracy disappears,
political ambition refuting its social debt
at a wall dripping blood and tears
Wherever love-and-peace, it veers
away, find agents conspiring to thwart;
live metaphor for the world fears
Divisions perpetuated for years
driven further apart since last ill-met
at a wall dripping blood and tears
Where time’s kinder mist clears,
discern guards with orders to shoot on sight;
live metaphor for the world’s fears
It's Freedom’s fair head that rears,
to debate any socio-cultural-religious tenet
at a wall dripping blood and tears,
live metaphor for the world’s fears
Copyright R N Taber 2019
Labels: animal, betrayal, choices, consciousness, culture, democracy, education, Freedom, global, governments, human, intransigence, metaphors, poetry, politics, religion, rights, society
posted by R. N. Taber | 15:19
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