Tag: strange

Gods of War

On By NB GwenIn The JourneyLeave a comment

“There’s never been a true war that wasn’t fought between two sets of people who were certain they were in the right. The really dangerous people believe they are doing whatever they are doing solely and only because it is without question the right thing to do. And that is what makes them dangerous.” ― Neil Gaiman, American Gods

“Ours was a generation grown up to find all gods dead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken” –” ― F.Scott Fitzgerald

I would like to believe that someday, some time in the future, peace is possible. I like to believe it, no matter impossible it seems.

We are a strange creature – humans, that is. We are willing to kill and be killed all in the name of a god that many seen to worship, just in different fashions. We are willing to annihilate the planet we live on all in the name of Greed, Lust, Desire. Some of us are willing to die for our Love, our Hope, hearts entwined.

What strange creature are we, humans, that relish in the aftermath of slaughter of innocence, yet wail when the slaughtered are our own.

Once upon a time, wars were fought face to face, person to person. Arms to arms. Once upon a time. Poppies bloomed in fields of blood, men kept marching on.

“Never again.” Words heard over and over. Unheeded, unheard. Never again.

The Gods of War drum out their commands, whispers in the ears of the powerful, and grown into a crescendo of us versus them.

Battle on, humans, battle on. The pawns must obey the players, the players must obey their Gods.

Def Leppard – Gods of War

Strange Animal

On By NB GwenIn The JourneyLeave a comment

“Humanity, I’m sure I do not have to tell Your Grace, is a strange animal.” ― Kady Cross, The Girl in the Steel Corset

I’ve noticed my last few post have a bit of a theme…people are strange.

We tell women to be strong, equal, take control of your life! BUT only if it doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s needs.

We tell me that they need to be more compassionate, allow their emotions to show, be softer, sweeter. BUT only if they are still full of machismo and testosterone to get that job done and support everyone.

We tell children to be strong, independent – GROW UP! BUT don’t walk beyond the sidewalk, don’t talk to strangers, don’t go out. Stay safe, stay bubble wrapped (metaphorically speaking).

We tell the old how much we care. BUT we leave them to rot and be abused in elder care. We’re too busy we say, too busy making money to keep the house to feed the children to keep the cars to keep up appearances.

We tell people of other cultures how accepting we are, how caring, how much we want to make a change in the world. BUT only if you aren’t gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, gender fluid, African, Asian, Indian, Native American, African American, Hindu, Muslim, Shiite, Jewish, – any faith other than Christian, any colour other than white, any language but English – shall I continue?

I’m fed up with people keeping up appearances.

Keeping up appearances
It’ll never do
to allow them to wander
freedom
what would you do?

keeping up appearances
make that lawn look great!
clip and clean
shine and glean
freedom
what would you do?

keeping up appearances
2 1/2 children
seen and not heard
perfect kitchen, perfect house
perfect
freedom
What would you do?

Keeping up appearances
keeping in line
follow the rules
don’t step on that lawn!
freedom
What would you do?

Keeping up appearances
why?
Are you happy now?
Take that pill
put on a smile
freedom
what would you do?

keeping up appearances
make a grand farewell
a rotting corpse dressed to kill
tears flowing
memories rusted
appearances fall away
freedom
what did you do?

People are so strange.

Gowan – Strange Animal

Strange Days

On By NB GwenIn The JourneyLeave a comment

“This is the strangest life I have ever known.” ― Jim Morrison 

I have, on occasion, been known to read the news. Actually, I should qualify that. I have been known to read what is considered news. What’s the difference? Someone’s sexuality or sexual orientation or gender should not be considered news – it should just be. It should be a non-issue, completely non-issue. News is hearing about the latest supreme court development, finding out what’s happening in a foreign country, the latest political landscape, etc – NOT someone’s change of clothes or *gasp* latest girlfriend/boyfriend/marriage/divorce.

We live in such a strange world. Pro-athletes and entertainers (musicians and actors, etc) get paid millions to entertain us and yet those charged with protecting and saving our lives are paid a pittance in comparison (paid well by lower class standards, but still a pittance in comparison to entertainers).

We live in a strange world where someone loving another is considered sinful, evil, and has a potential to collapse the world as we know it. Funny, those same argument were used to fight segregation and inter-cultural marriages…the world is still turning.

We live in a bizarre world where freedom of speech is so valued that if someone disagrees with you they are somehow quashing your freedom of speech…or better yet someone wanting to be treated like a human being is going against your freedom of religion. I will never understand that last one. If people actually read that book written 2500 years ago – they may actually come upon some passages that say things like love thy neighbor or thou shalt not kill and a few other choice tidbits like that. But hey – fire and brimstone is far more glamorous…non?

We live in a strange world where suddenly acts of courage and bravery are supposedly delineated by function rather than by the person. Odd…definition of brave and courage from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

brave

adjective \ˈbrāv\

: feeling or showing no fear : not afraid

brav·er brav·est

Full Definition of BRAVE

1:  having or showing courage <a brave soldier> <a brave smile>
2:  making a fine show :  colorful <brave banners flying in the wind>
3:  excellent, splendid <the brave fire I soon had going — J. F. Dobie>
— brave·ly adverb

courage

noun cour·age \ˈkər-ij, ˈkə-rij\

: the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous

Full Definition of COURAGE

:  mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

I see nothing in either definition that limits brave or courage to a certain class or function of a person.

We live in a strange world where bigotry and racism are considered part and parcel to freedoms of religion and speech. Sure, you have the freedom to speak your mind and pray to your God…and I have the freedom to call you out for your hatred and bigotry disguised as faith.

I hope, for the sake of my children and myself, that this strange world starts to see that love and peace are the true solutions. That hating someone for who they are is not productive or logical…or human.

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give. – Quote is from the first couplet of the Wiccan Rede (It is disputed as to who wrote the long version).

The Kinks – Lola