I've been traveling, first to a conference, then to visit family, and there is much to share. But first, along with all the joy, there is sorrow.
The recent tragic murders last week of those attending their prayer meeting have been ever on my mind. I've been wondering more and more how someone can feel so opposed to other groups that he believes he must destroy those that he sees as alien? Here's a poem by Maya Angelou that I want to share with you today in memory of those nine from our "human family".
Human Family
by Maya Angelou
I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.
Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.
the rest is here.
Linda, I yearn for the day when our human family recognizes that we are more alike than different. So much sorrow in our world. This was a new Maya Angelou poem for me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI wish for this, too, Ramona. Happy that I can share a poem new to you. Thank you!
DeleteI was compelled to post the lines "We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike" on my FB page. We need to say it over and over. We must spread kindness. We must be kindness.
ReplyDeleteI wish there was an easy answer, Margaret, but that doesn't mean we won't keep trying.
Delete"We are more alike" indeed! The perfect poem to post to help with the healing, Linda. Unfortunately I don't think I will every truly understand that man's actions.
ReplyDeleteI know, but it continues to puzzle me that such violence is the result of hatred of differences. Thanks, Bridget.
DeleteI agree with Margaret. We need to shout out loud and clear that "we are more alike than different" ! So important, this time and every time..
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julieanne. I'm glad you enjoyed Maya Angelou's message.
DeleteSuch a beautiful reminder. I think I have seen the last lines of this poem, but I don't remember ever reading the whole thing. I want to share this with our older kids this fall when we go back to school.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Amazingly, as much water as there has been, I don't have any water in my basement either! It was curb high, rushing down the street, but didn't come into the house.
I'm happy that you will share this, Carol! And also about the water. My neighbor said it looked like a river going down our street. What a storm. I feel lucky that I didn't have a tree down. Thanks!
DeletePerfect poem for our times, Linda. She was wise, Maya Angelou.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara. Yes, she was. I'm glad to have the poem.
DeleteIt bears repeating again:
ReplyDelete"We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike."
Indeed, Mary Lee. I wish that all the politics would also make it so.
DeleteThis line jumped out at me: "not yet one common man." Think of it--everyone is different, so why do we insist upon grouping them by insignificancies? (Is insignificancy even a word?) Race or religion or gender are only a small part of a total package.
ReplyDeleteThey do seem like insignificancies to me, Diane (yes, the word came through), but others disagree, as we can see by those crying out today at this latest news. I'm glad you saw the poem's importance. Thank you.
DeleteFortunately, there are more who truly understand "we are more alike than different", than do not. I am saddened by the incident, but take heart when I talk to those around me or via blogs.
ReplyDeleteI like what I read & hear from others too, Donna. Thanks for sharing your views, too.
DeleteI love the repetition at the end of the poem. Thanks for sharing Maya Angelou's words, Linda. I hope they have an opportunity to sink in to closed hearts.
ReplyDeleteI wish that many more could find and read the poem, Michelle. Thanks!
DeleteWe are more alike...powerful words in an age that is ridden with sadness and hatred. Choosing kind is such a better action. Linda, you brought home the message. There is so much discord now in the news that it is hard to believe that we are living in a post-civil rights movement time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol, there was wonderful news since I wrote this, however. I hope that it continues without much conflict.
DeleteSo it is,
ReplyDeleteso it is,
so it must be.
Thanks Heidi, agreed!
Delete