Tuesday, August 08, 2006

My mind is elsewhere

I want to write. I really do. But these days there are so many distractions.

My son's leg is nearly healed, though he's still limping. It should be completely healed in time for the new school year. (And you know he's happy about that.) We're moving in less than two weeks--another house about a mile away. On Saturday an exchange student will be arriving to spend the year with us. The kids need school supplies--not to mention uniforms. I want to write, but I just can't concentrate.

I may not write much here in the next couple weeks. I have many projects to catch up on. I can't wait to delve into the fourth book of the Echoes Series. But not yet.

In September the kids will be in school and, I hope, I can relax. And I hope I'll be ready to write.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Writing for change

"The pen is mightier than the sword," they say. We can only hope it is so.

While the people of Lebanon suffer under nearly constant bombardment, we are able to do very little to stop the carnage. We can pray. We can talk about it. And we can write.

This is my contribution to the crisis.


Death of Innocence

Qana, ancient town
full of meaning for
many of faith

Attacked by the faithless
innocents massacred
bloody children,
crying mothers, fathers, nation

War, never pretty, made worse
with children in the crosshairs
peace becomes impossible
grief turns into revenge

Take your place in history
Auschwitz, Hiroshima, My Lai
Birmingham, New York City
murder on massive scale

Qana, grieving town
full of anger and
ready to fight


I don't know if writing a poem will have any effect. But maybe if many of us write, and spread the word, we can make something happen.

May God help us all.