there are moments of epiphany
when as if that cartoon light bulb
glows figuratively above ones thoughts...

whether valid beyond ones own musings
is not for the writer to say
to say aloud 'absolute truth' in an imperfect place
seems an even greater folly...

you can hold truth absolute within yourself
and that is your truth
there be no greater horror than to use terror
or arms to enforce your absolute truth upon others

my truth is that both sides should stop fighting
and what sides are we talking about
and what does it matter?

Is it about what is the true name of the supreme being
or what her or his or that beings policy on entering paradise should be;

Is it about nationality or about the hue of my skin
or your skin or someone elses skin;
whether born north or south or east or west, or your language;
or whatever someone tells you about what side
you or i or anyone else should be on.

the great problem is once the shooting starts, it is hard to end
that d*mn shooting. it comes to the simple notion that if we both stop
then peace results...

oh i know i am naive' and good words without good faith mean nothing
and that is why peoples must stop and talk and then leave the game playing
for fun and children and competition for its own sake...

for myself i seem not to choose sides; rather i choose ideas and concepts
hopefully ones that lead to some semblence of peace
and of understanding
and of tolerance
and of hope for today and tomorrow

Very nice.

Moms have been saying this for millineum...

"Don't do that. You'll hurt someone."

And do they listen?

Peace, understanding, tolerance, hope for today and tomorrow -- beautiful words and concepts.

Thanks for your post, poetpj

Beautiful words. I watched the film on the Beslan Children last night. Tears welled up. Why did toddlers have to die? Why did they decide to bomb the group of children who were all but naked, around the first water fountain they came to? At least they died with some hope. How can people be so cruel to children and mothers and grandmothers? Why do people have to suffer?
If it is something that our government has done they should be open, admit that they, our government, was the indirect cause. No wonder Putin, when he visited the survivors in hospital, was snubbed. No wonder grandmothers turned their back on him. They knew that the Russians had persecuted and killed many of the 'terrorists' families. We make terrorists ourselves out of human beings. That is how I see it.

But the little boys are talking about playing violent games and killing the terrorists this time. Little girls want to meet an unarmed terrorist and rip them apart with their bare hands next time around.
Who has made our next generation perpetuate the hate? Governments have a lot to answer for.