No eternal transaction,
struck at a crossroads,
sealed at midnight,
while the air reeks of sulphur,
but bit by bit,
choice by choice,
piece by piece,
I sell my soul
until I know longer resemble
who I want to be,
hope to be,
am intended to be.
27 October 2015
The Shire
Manhattan, New York
Inspired by The Price of My Soul by Bernadette Devlin
Filed under Poem
It is found in the United Nations building, part of the display about the UN’s work on militarism.
Each time I see it, the picture touches a chord of hope in my heart. My soul sings.
We can lay our weapons down – by the riverside – in the desert – on the street corners – wherever we may be – we can lay our weapons down. And study war no more. And begin the hard work of building a just peace.
Yesterday I toured the UN. And the picture carried even deeper meaning than usual. The International Criminal Court had announced its first verdict ever. In that decision, the court found Thomas Lubanga Dyilo guilty of conscripting, enlisting, and actively using children under the age of 15 in hostilities in the Ituri district of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 2002 and 2003.
The court’s decision underscored the picture’s meaning. The picture underscored the court’s decision.
Art and the judicial process intertwining to proclaim hope.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Human Rights, Photo
Along the Graybeard Trail 