I Don’t Understand.
what exactly is it that terrorists
would have us believe
they are gaining
through their actions,
besides notoriety
and contempt
Can’t imagine
what it must be like
to capitulate one’s life
for something
that flies in the face
of everything
it means to be human
Swollen rivers of hate
have flooded
the valleys of reason.
There will never be winners here.
Everyone loses,
absolutely everyone loses.
This can never be the only way
And, yes I understand
about foreign policies
which would be the spark
said to stoke this insanity
and then so indignantly defended
It isn’t who starts it
but who ends it that counts
And if these foreigners’ interests
are self serving and pernicious in nature
will your cowardly actions of taking lives,
innocent or otherwise,
create the throngs
flocking to embrace your cause?
And what would that world look like?
Love and tolerance
are the corner stones
of any religion
worthy of disciples.
Subjugation, exclusivity
fear and hate mongering
are distorted vexations of the spirit
I don’t understand
calculated, unbridled rage
that recognizes no boundaries.
Regardless of how much destruction you wreak
you shall never succeed.
If you were the only one left standing
you would still have failed.
Copyright © Henri Ferguson 2002
Author notes
This came to me some time after 9/11 and the ensuing madness which has a stranglehold on our intentions and visions of peace and harmony for the world.
The insanity that is swirling about us saddens me deeply. I vacillate between undaunted hopes and belief in the power of love, to disturbing visions of Armageddon. I feel my beliefs being tested like never before, and pray that this will become a "defining moment" for mankind where we become galvanized in our quest for a peaceful and equitable world. We have the power and the resources to create this, all that is missing is the political will.
Written October 17th, 2002
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Superb
You hit on some universal feelings here, I think, which is the mark of a great writer. I know I feel this way. I think we're in a defining moment, too. A true battle between light and darkness. But I've seen enough to know that light always wins in the end. -
ok. ok. i know. i know. no one will like reading this but i have to play devil's advocate here since no one else is... the first thing is the fact that they dont see themselves as terrorists, they are the servants of good in their mind...and for those of you who would say god would never want anything like that to happen, read the early parts of the bible, the flood, soddam and ghemorra(SP on those two) so god was vengefull even in your own religion. secondly, the ones who do these things are not part of the nmainstream form of Islam(im assumeing this is mostly aimed at the 9/11 terrorists since those are the only ones america seems concerned with)...and for other terrorists some have no religious motivation at all, the Aum Shinryko in Japan for example used terrorism mostly to achive political changes, and to a limited extent it worked, and what is scariest about them is that they used chemical and biological weapons to do it...so there is my rant as devil's advocate, please don't send me and flames about this, thses arent my personal views just something to write that hasnt been written on this poem
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Most of these terrorists were corrupted from the cradle. Were taught to fear and hate what they don't understand. This poem is deep and very thought provoking. Thank you for sharing.
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Not to take the side of the bad guy, because with all my heart I believe their actions wrong, but they see it in a new "light" if you can call it that. Religion is the start of so many quarrels, look at jurusalem. With a religion as radical as the terrorist's I believe they think their actions to be pure and justified. Now, reality tells us, thats just not true. Unfortunately, they live in an insane world of lies. Honestly, I believe christianity to be a little more sane, but still not entirely true. I wont go into detail, since it is off the topic. Just thought I'd throw it out there.
Other than that, insightful write, and quite in depth. Keep penning, loved your in depth style. - Cal -
This is a good poem, and I actually have two thoughts that springs to mind as I read it. One, I don't think I would want to understand terrorism because I'm quite glad my mind doesn't think that way. I'm just not that evil and either are you be glad for that. And two, I just don't think world peace will ever happen, I don't think the human race can acheive such a feat. Unless we evolve to a being much better than we are at this point in time. Good job on this piece.
-Misty- -
beautiful and thought provoking
There is no justification for terrorism that I can see. This is a beautiful write and brings a lot of emmotions to the face!!
Love and tolerance
are the corner stones
of any religion
I really like this line. Religion can preech tolence and love, but they can also breed hate and abuse. Look at the KKK for example they use the christian religion as a weapon not for hope. I think that is real simular to what the terrorist do. I don't know for sure though. -
Agreed that any form of killing is totally unjustified but I would like to add that when people are driven to extreme forms of desperation where they have nothing left to lose (including their sanity), then i am driven to look for the cause of this so that any solution thought up would be comprehensive!
Excellent write. It is our duty to highlight problems in the world so that we can attract some constructive thinking to everlasting solutions and world peace for our children's children.
Spear --> -
wow this is really good hon..i especially like the line "and even if you are the last one standing, you have still failed" because it shows how we have to help people in order to make our world better, not harm others. this is a very good poem with an awesome message..don't touch it!
luve,
hilary xoxo -
I shake my head
drop a tear
try not to fear
it makes me so sad
hurts my heart
in what we do to eachother
dunno...
this made me sad
thinking
back to who ive lost
who i cant talk to
and how i want to
so much
not to cry
dont give the satisfaction
hold brave
but i do cry
in my heart now
maybe not outward
but everday
a part cries
when i want to share something....
and that is always.....
so much to say.. i have... Yoda... lol...
yet i cant...
still so much anger
from the hurt -
Read both the peace and your notes. Both Munir and I concur sharing the same sentiments. You were very expressive and put alot of thought and accuracy into this piece. Outstanding work!!! Thank you, too, for your comments on Munir's pices: 'Eternal River' and 'Ghost of Love'. I love the latter for it is a bit lighter. rosewishes for endymion
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You impliment your poetic talent to open up minds - we need to relate and to communicate our inner feelings. If the world follows this basic principle, then we may perhaps reach a stage of understanding. Unluckily we are blinded to the open secrets, as I've indicated elsewhere. I totally agree with Brian - we are nurturing the seed of self-destruction and we are offering blindly to the semi-gods we create ...
Thank you for the opportunity to debate ...
I enjoy your work.
Kindest Regards,
Myra -
excellent
What will they be standing for if no one else is around to stand with them? They will kill each other off, too! Stupidity with a capital S. Love, on the other hand is not stupid. It may be blind sometimes but at least it won't hurt you. -
excellent
Excellent write, and I couldn't agree more...
Maybe one day, peace?? Maybe........:(
Blessings, ~~ Ce -
don't touch it!
Hey that was a very well written poem but yet soo true.. Good Job
~*Sarah Ferguson*~ -
excellent
Brian is right, sadly.
Good take though on the insanity of murder as a means to an end that has no end ...
Sag -
neutral
state-terrorism ... why not just talk about universal terrorism .. not in terms of religion, race or credo .. but how about mankind's brutal assault on anything living
we don't need any more fucking policy changes .. U.S. or international law .. what we need is a change of heart
Gonna stop there before I pop lol .. sorry Henri for coming back to vent .. some comments on here just eat at me and reinforce my feelings that mankind will eventually destroy himself .. who needs terrorism ... we truly are our own worst enemy -
neutral
you probably wouldn't able to undertsand the unbridled hatred that manifests in a lot of 'foreigners' because your country (which happens to NOT be Chechnya) is not in the possession of Russian troops. Your wife hasn't been gang-raped by Russian men younger than your sons and daughers, your family slaughtered for being considered 'lesser' than the occupying nation.
I too cannot understand the killing of innocents. It serves no purpose. No purpose whatsoever and makes them no better than anybody who has murdered. It is completely reprehensible.
Killing politicians and hypocritical leaders - now there's something much more fruitful....gets the point across AND often creates a martyr - leaving the masses without anything on their conscience.
But let me just pose a question - Not to anybody in particular. Just a bit of rhetorical - is state-terrorism any worse?
You know when state troops storm a building full of innocent people and cause their deaths by proxy?
Edited by GeGen DaeMon on Oct 27. -
don't touch it!
very powerful, poignant and sincere write!
i am with you all the others who agree to this! wish everybody could sign it and send it to those people!
Bravo! -
Fred and Shadow, thanks for your comments.
Although this particular write was focused on 'terrorism' that has religious/political undercurrents, and perhaps through the media, generically mistaken as the only kind, I never intended to infer that this is the only manifestation of terrorism. In that vein I agree with both of you that the incidents you mention certainly fall into this broad category. This poem is merely a personal lament about what I feel about a specific situation unfolding in the world. I was in Islamabad on 9/11 last year and had planned a trip to Jakarta and Bali jut before this latest incident. The rather ominous synchronicity of all this is what prompted me to write this poem.
Without getting into a lengthy semantic debate about the word, who's right and who's wrong, etc, I think that anytime power is mis-used to subjugate, exploit and create harm and hardships on the innocent and powerless it is tantamount to terrorism.
Hope this clarifies.
hf -
neutral
I wonder would you consider the Washington area sniper a terrorist. Despite the publicity and attention devoted to terrorists most of us in the US are more likely to be injured or even killed by a neighbor, a relative, a friend or an ordinary criminal like this man or group of men. It's a chilling thought. You have some insights here but I suggest looking at my reaction, as well. -
neutral
I wonder if your thoughts may be addressed to a cetain wedding party in Afghanistan. Its the Masters of War Who Build the bombs that really are the terrorists - We all live on the same planet - why do we need boundaries or countries or politicians, why is one religion right and all the others wrong - etc etc etc
I dont have a problem with my christian or my muslim neighbours - I do have some problems with a world of MacDonald etc sameness -
don't touch it!
This is extremely eloquent. Love it love it love it! What a grand use of words. 'Swollen rivers of hate have flooded the valleys of reason' is my favorite line. Wonderful, ferg. -
don't touch it!
*applauds* very well stated... -
don't touch it!
Strong, thought provoking write.
I give up with it all to be honest, cos no matter what I think i aint gonna change anything. Im just a common girl from South East London. I'm not important to no-one. So they can do what the fuck they like. I might not like it but what can I do?
The whole world is just fucked up.
Great write.
Gem xxx -
don't touch it!
Violence does beget violence ... seems like this cycle has no beginning and no end ... mankind builds and destroys as he/she always has done. I wish I could believe that there is hope for change. Honestly I think mankind will tear down every shred of humanity until only the tiniest sliver is left ... he/she will build again only to fall another day. We learn so little on our journey around the wheel .. we seem to forget what we first learned.
Sorry for such pessimistic views Henri .. this whole mess bothers me to no end. I torture myself in thought with all of the details and come to one and only one conclusion. Live the best I can for what seems right by my own perception.
Provacative piece of work - I commend you on your expression ... well done ~ Brian -
don't touch it!
That was a great poem. I was living in NJ twenty minutes away from NYC. My town recieved the major aftermath of what happened. The town's hospital had to take in so many victims, and many people who lived in the town knew people or had relatives that worked at the W.T.C. It was a very upsetting time.
Reading this poem brought back good and bad memories of what happened. Bad: the devastation of what happened. Good: How our country united. I also think you are right about how, no matter what happens, we all lose. War doesn't solve anything. Killing doesn't solve anything.
Great write. :o)
~*~Gi~*~ -
neutral
so do i Henri...
you know, i have a feeling that it's no longer those of the minority that will change the world...
the time of the martyr has changed. its up to groups now to act together and bring world peace...these people know of no other way to respond as do those in world power...it all begets violence...we need to change it...those who are safe could change the world....ahhh...i just want so much for everyone...and the problem is i feel the same as you mate....always a pleasure reading your works and thoughts Henri:)... -
Hey Connor thank you for your ever lucid observations and feedback.
I think I do understand the 'dilemma' of those that find themselves subjugated and thwarted in their attempts to break free, but ultimately violence begets violence, and history is the irrefutable witness to this sad truth. Someday Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King and scores of unsung heroes and heroines will be recognized and remembered (by our gate keepers) for their veracious visions of peaceful conflict resolution. I pray that this happens within my lifetime. -
don't touch it!
All i know henri, is my effort at understanding all, spiritually.
Even with the advent of bali being bombed by terroists and bringing such actions so close to home i still am open to why? always in war people fight for things greater than themselves; quoting Freedom and Defense and Others. But what if they can't? those who are subjigated to misery, what if they have no voice and the only way they are heard is MADNESS...
look at rhe I.R.A... they originally just wanted the english out of Ireland, they are branded terroists because they threatened security of another; their owners...
i always try for deeper reasons. it makes me think if we hear the voice they are calling maybe our universal/global love will set 'everyone free'...
and away from economic whole power and into peace...Bravo Henri, a powerful write that saids it all, i just needed to respond....thank you:) -
don't touch it!
A very strong and poignant write, Henri. It speaks of the questions, surrounding such acts, to the heartbreak that surrounds us, the inhumanity on all sides. I too believe that love is the answer... we have to TEACH love by example, by heartfelt actions, not hatefelt actions.
I too wonder, always, what kind of brainwashing can convince a young person (or of any age) to throw away their lives and countless others to such dastardly acts.
It's all crazy.
Thanks for expressing so much, such powerful feelings as this poem carries.
Dee -
don't touch it!
BRAVO!!! Very well stated!!! Every word in this piece, the absolute truth, I cannot add to it...only that I wish those who seek to destroy, could read this and come away with a different point of view....it only makes real sense!!!!! -
don't touch it!
Excellent poem, Henri! I believe in the power of love! Those of us who want peace will use our power and resources to ensure that the insanity will end. If the insanity doesn't end, the world will! We can't let that happen! -
don't touch it!
i think you have really expressed all our anger quite nicely here...i can tell that this has affected you deeply...thank you so much for putting to words what all of us feel. -
don't touch it!
Ferguson, the simple honesty of your words makes them all the more profound. To return to an egalitarian society of humans, would truly be a defining moment indeed.
namaste,
CM
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