Both Sides Are Suffering

The other day I was walking by a commercial center and noticed a small black kitten run under a parked car and hiss loudly at a big cat nearby. I was concerned this kitten might run out into the street to get away from the other cat and get hit by a car. Suddenly, I … Continue reading Both Sides Are Suffering →

Six Generations of Sad Endings

On my father's side of the family, I have discovered one line with at least six generations in a row of family catastrophes. Men in this family just kept dying in all kinds of ways for 100 years. This is the Zealand line. Death at an early age is not uncommon in most families, especially … Continue reading Six Generations of Sad Endings →

Two Images

By John Edwards a wave surge smacks against this super-yacht languishing marina-bound and impotent now portals still gleam in clear sun looking out on peace no sound of incendiaries here an explosive surge exposes living rooms opening them as a can-opener would soul less eyes of the apartment block glare out onto shattered shards of … Continue reading Two Images →

A War Against Truth

Try to remain truthful. The power of truth never declines. Force and violence may be effective in the short term, but in the long run it's truth that prevails.Dalai Lama Lying during a war is the most intolerable crime When innocent civilians are killed The aggressor country says, "You committed these crimes yourself!" When a … Continue reading A War Against Truth →

News-Following Ambivalence

By Nancy Klein Collage of headlines from newspapers. IStock photo. Diving into the black hole Of news Wanting to read about the war And yet Not wanting to know Of the latest catastrophe-- Slaughter of innocents Destruction of homes and businesses Lives ruined when mortars hit families Easier to read a novel, perhaps? Pretend it … Continue reading News-Following Ambivalence →

Ukraine to Spain, Our World in Turmoil

By Susan Champion BBC News photo of fighting in Ukraine Somewhere in a Kiev basement A mother cries out Is there a bus leaving soon? Is there a bus leaving soon? Asks the child’s aunt Our homes destroyed, nothing left Our homes destroyed, nothing left No food or water How must we survive here now? … Continue reading Ukraine to Spain, Our World in Turmoil →

Lviv – East West Street

By John Edwards Amazon photo of East West Street book cover LVIV - EAST WEST STREETI have wanted to go to Lviv where national borders movedwithout a citizen crossing a linefrom Poland to Ukrainespeakers of languages doctored by oppressors Third Reich to Stalinand now a new war I want to go to Lvivwalk their streets … Continue reading Lviv – East West Street →

For the Husband Left Behind

https://twitter.com/iaponomarenko/status/1501835567688036352?s=21 My wife and children wanted to leave town to a place of safety from bomb blasts and siren screams Little did I know their lives would end that day When they took a chance to run across the road And ended up dead, lying silent and still in the street Struck down by shrapnel … Continue reading For the Husband Left Behind →

Shoes of the Little Ones

My God. These are the shoes of children—Sandals, boots and leather footwear Worn by little ones with hopes and dreams for a bright future Innocent boys and girls expecting that their parents would keep them safe None of them realizing that once they took off their shoes, their fate was sealed I am not sure … Continue reading Shoes of the Little Ones →