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| The Barn |
"Why"
between empty stalls and red buckets,
barn cat knowingly sits, as cats always do,
content in what she knows,
and I upon hay bale
with view of winding wooded trials
listen, feel, ponder.
For the moment avoid conclusions -
allow the question of "why"
an opportunity to linger.
by Margaret Bednar, July 9, 2016
The past few days have been rife with the question "Why!! " And lots of people rushing to judgement, accusations, angry talk. Lots of "answers" but ... how much listening? How much are we willing to push aside what we "know" and truly listen to what others have to say? It seems to me, people are more interested in pushing their agendas - getting their way or nothing - instead of reaching a solution to the political and social dilemmas we are facing today.
This is linked with "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads: Sunday Mini-Challenge: Shallows, Deeply"
18 comments:
Hi Margaret--I didn't really take your poem as political, so much as the type of question that sometimes arises in a very peaceful and quiet and naturalistic setting. Those settings are so very blessed, and they do raise questions about why things seem so difficult when there is so much beauty. Thanks for your kind comment by me, and hope all well with you. k.
ps - lovely opening line especially here --great alliteration.
... but it was in response to all the horrible things going on these past few days - and listening to it non stop in a 9 hour drive back from Montclair NJ... People talking over each other - not really listening - reading FB posts - the strong feelings from both sides... If we are to come to solutions - we need to listen. I suppose this poem cold be about many of life's problems and issues... but it was a direct response to the heated tensions of the horrible shootings and "political" solutions and my very own strong opinions - and my desire to not give in to them without listening to what others have to say...
I do agree. Not listening and jumping to conclusions just strengthens the divisiveness. We're all angry, hurting--but cooler heads prevail, as they say, and I hope we can get there and get on with the business of healing. Together. Though I have my doubts. I like picturing the scene here in your poem!
So much harder to answer when you sit in a place with an oppurtunity to linger... To keep cool, it's where how wise decisions are been made.
Beautifully – and yes, peacefully – said. Which is appropriate, as your poem argues against escalating the warlike.
In any circumstances it is wise to 'allow the question of "why" / an opportunity to linger'.(Beautiful phrase!) All the more so In such circumstances as the recent.
Perhaps in quiet moments, one might reach some understanding of the inexplicable.
I completely and totally agree!
We do need to ask that question "why" - and then listen to the answers of others before we make our own conclusions.
there's a barn burning...great metaphor. love the know-it-all cat. i'm glad somebody knows
Thanks Margaret -- this is such a pure offline moment, maybe any of those moments goes a long way toward giving us substance in moving forward.
A moment of calm, Margaret, that we all desperately need.
I admire the view of the barn cat...honestly...I wish I could experience such a beautiful view of life. Thank you, Margaret.
why, oh why, indeed
People 'know' the answere, want to put it in, press the Enter button, and expect an answer. But from whom? Not our legislatures for sure, they haven't accomplised anything to amount for much since Obama Care. Not the president, the Supreme Court says he can't unless the legislature ... Not the police, they learned harrassment and submission long ago and practiced on 'us' young people way back then. Not the churches, they are too busy getting and keeping membership. Who did I leave out? Mom and Dad?
..
Who takes time to stop and consider, contemplate? No one.
I agree with Rosemary, beautiful, peaceful and appropriate to 'allow the question of "why" / an opportunity to linger'. There are things that I just don't understand and can't see any answers to the question 'why?'
only cats must be the ones to know the answer to that 'why'---No way... they stay still, because they do not even ever wonder why- ( lucky them!)... meanwhile... life goes on...
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