At Carpe Diem Haiku Kai, our host quotes Khalil Gibran to introduce this prompt "Wall".
[...] "After all this is not a bad prison; but I do not like this wall between my cell and the next prisoner’s cell; Yet I assure you that I do not wish to reproach the warder not the Builder of the prison".[...]
[...] "Sadness is but a wall between two gardens". [...]
I thought about walls that I have put up to protect myself from getting hurt and sometimes the wall is there to guard my treasured solitude. One can knock on a wall to see if that person responds and most of the time, I respond, especially to family. I find I lie sometimes, to sit at home and just indulge in reading a good novel or writing. Very few understand. Sometimes I take a day off work to recuperate physically and emotionally because my work is emotionally taxing {although I adore it!} and I feel like I am playing hooky, feeling a bit giddy that I can write all day without being disturbed. What a great feeling that is. And so, the part of this prompt I decided to address was our host's comments here:
"Can we tear down those walls? Can we be that powerful to tear down the walls around us to become finally free? Free to be sincere towards the other? I think so, but it's not easy I think. As I remember the 9/11 attacks several years ago, than I can understand that it's not easy to be sincere. Those terrorists were all under the spell of one aggressor and that aggressor, for sure, doesn't speak for all those muslim brothers and sisters. So don't be afraid to be sincere, be respectful towards the other notwithstanding what others did." © Chèvrefeuille
I agree that if we all banned together, it is amazing what we could achieve on this planet. I work in an environment of compassion and volunteer in this area as well, so I see how much good we can achieve. If smiling and laughing can be contagious, so can compassion and kindness, non?
On my retreat in July, I was blessed being in the presence of Amma {Mata Amritanandamayi}, an amazing humanitarian who walks the talk. I saw so many people of different religions waiting hours to be embraced by this amazing person who preaches "compassion".
| Ants building a bridge |
Countless troupes
toiled
tearing down walls to build an
ant colony
© Tournesol
Submitted for: Carpe Diem #543 "Walls"
Posted by Cheryl-Lynn Roberts 2014/08/20
If only we could show such teamwork, Cheryl-Lynn! :)
ReplyDeleteCan completely understand the protective walls - sometimes it's comforting to stay sheltered even if it means being alone. But solitude vs. loneliness, not the same thing, right?
Great post --
Thanks, Jen. No solitude is something I definitely treasure being a people person, extrovert...I need my down time and as I get older I need it more...shutting out everything. I spent time by the river in a small park, nice tall trees, watching the sunset last night...total bliss
DeleteWonderful post from another that understands the need to refill the tank in solitude in order to be a team member.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Janice, we do need to refuel that "tank" and the price of petrol keeps climbing, so we need more time:)
Deleteants have no ego
ReplyDeletethe source of all walls ~
from both sides
thanks for your visits
cheers
JzB
Ah!! you named it!! the ego is what gets in OUR way, thanks so much for your wise words
DeleteWhat an enriching post - sheer beauty of words. Really this was a wonderful read in every way. Wonderful philosophy and compassion, and so well-presented.Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNo, thank you for reading and taking the time to give me such nice feedback. I am pleased you enjoyed this post. Cheryl-Lynn
DeleteI am content myself to spend my time how I choose. I think as an adult I have earned that right to not have to have someone else dictate who I should see and where and when I should go. My family is my all. Those who choose to be near. It is difficult with those who choose to be distant. But I will make the effort on my own terms.
ReplyDeleteI think too there is a music to poetry. And in sharing ours we build friendship. Thank you.
How much time--and love--we waste building walls!
ReplyDeleteOn a Crumbling Wall
We think it is to keep us safe and realize that it was just our true selves we were hiding from.
DeleteVery nicely composed haibun ... and that haiku is awesome.
ReplyDeletecooperation
ReplyDeletesolidarity and love
breaking down walls
I love the thought of tearing those walls.. and if we do it together there's no need for them
ReplyDeleteLove the alliteration here.....it is reminiscent of the marching sound I imagine when I think of ants on duty!
ReplyDelete