even if they are
right
that they must
defend
that they must
reclaim land
that their Iron
Dome
is defensive, that
there
is no other way
than invasion
to defend their
people;
what about the cost
to the innocent
children,
those they put in
the middle
pray for the children
for the Israeli
people
that they may be
safe
in their beds at
night,
just like their
neighbors
even if they are
right
that their home is
a prison
that the Israelis
are the jailers;
pray for the
children
pray for Gaza, the
West Bank
for the Palestinian
people
that they would have
hope
in some just
equitable future
safe without walls,
restrictions,
with no more
shelling
pray for the
martyrs
the children, the
civilians,
for those caught in
the middle
those who are
driven
from their beds at
night
pray for the
parents
who must bury their
children
where human shields
and hospitals are
bombed;
pray for all of
them
caught in the
middle
in this perfect
storm
where ceasefire
brings no peace
and it is all
caught on tape
to be splashed
round the world
=====
edited
February 14, 2015
even
if they are right – v3
edited
July 26, 2014
even
if they are right – v2
edited
July 26, 2014
even
if they are right
(after
the end of the 12-hour ceasefire)
edited
July 18, 2014
pray
for the children
after
the ground invasion of Gaza
by
Israeli forces
edited
July 11, 2014
does
it matter who started this
edited
July 11, 2014
fish
in a barrel, fish with weapons
edited
July 10, 2014
Israel’s
Future
post
of child in rage about the Israeli’s bulldozing his home
in
the Gaza Strip
7/10/2014
edited
July 10, 2014
the
battle foreordained – v2
new
poem June 8, 2014
the
battle foreordained
Daniel 7
and Men’s
Bible Study
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
June 8, 2014
&
edited
March 16, 2014
“Innocent
Blood – v5”
(editing
version 3)
Edited
November 26, 2012
“Innocent
Blood – v4”
after
rereading original inspiration for the poem
Edited
November 23, 2012
“Innocent
Blood – v3”
November
23, 2012
“Innocent
Blood – v2”
after
writing several poems on this topic
&
announcement
of a cease fire
between
Gaza (Hamas) and Israel
November
21, 2012
&
the
tragedy of the fighting in Gaza and Israel
and
the source of the conflict
in
the division of Ishmael and Isaac
the
sons of Abraham
&
original
poem
January
14 and 15, 2009
“Innocent
Blood”
Matthew
2:13-23
and
words of Bishop Peter Weaver,
in
his Partners in Ministry email
1/14/09,
“♦ THE TERRIBLE VIOLENCE IN THE GAZA STRIP is
deeply disturbing. Hundreds of innocent
civilians, including children are being caught in the crossfire. Last week,
after we celebrated Epiphany (Jan. 6, the magi visiting Bethlehem) I thought
about the rest of Matthew 2 where Herod sets out to kill all the "innocents"
under two and Mary, Joseph and Jesus head for Egypt....probably through
Gaza! Both the Palestinians and Israelis
fear and react to violence from the other side and to a long history of threats
and actions that are indelibly etched in their memories. Tragically, every additional death and
injustice etches new memories in new generations who will grow up with even
more hatred and determination to "win", no matter what the means of
terrorism or oppression. "An eye for an eye, leaves everyone blind"
How can peace with justice be found?
A Quaker saying, based in the Gospel,
points the way. "There can be no
peace without reconciliation. There can
be no reconciliation without forgiveness.
There can be no forgiveness without giving up the hope of a better
yesterday." In other words, holding
on to the deeply etched bitterness of the past prevents us from embracing a new
future of peace. Nations do it. Families do it. Churches do it. Pray that we might all become
peacemakers. Pray for the land we call
"holy."”
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights
reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 35,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
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