Tag Archives: war

How Should We Combat Hatred? – Offering A Prayer Of Peace

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How Should We Combat Hatred- - Offering A Prayer Of Peace

This is not a post I usually write – frankly, this is not a post I want to write, because I do not want to talk
about hatred, negativity and politics in this blog.
But after I just heard the news that the Mother of my daughter’s boyfriend was attacked by someone using racial slurs,
and Donald Trump rhetoric, I had to speak out.
You see, we are a family of mixed decent. I am German, my husband is a mix of Irish, Native American, and Jewish decent, and my daughter is dating a wonderful,young hard-working Mexican-American man. His mother, equally hard working, and an upstanding citizen of this country was attacked by a white guy, this afternoon, telling her that all Mexicans should leave and that he is going to end them all. He continued to spew words about Donald Trump, repeated those hateful viewpoints, that have been brought into our homes via television over the last few months.
Thankfully she is okay, but it could have ended so much different. No one should have to experience this kind of behavior,
may it be because of their skin color, country of origin, gender or religion. It makes me angry – and I really do not try
to get angry – but it also makes me sad, that we now live in a space where people believe that it is okay to act this way.
This behavior of racism must stop now, may it be against African-Americans, Latin-Americans, or Native Americans, or anyone else.

I am asking you to offer a prayer for peace, no matter which religion you practice.

As a Pagan, I offer the following prayer:

“O Gracious Mother and Merciful Father,
We pray that you help the leaders and people of this world to have compassion in their hearts,
That you give them the wisdom to end the suffering caused by wars and hatred,
And the understanding that only through peace will we truly be happy;
We humbly ask you to guard and protect all of our brothers and sisters, no matter what skin color, origin, religion or gender.
And give comfort to the loved ones, who have lost family members due to these types of injustice.
May you lead us from death to live,
From falsehood to truth,
Lead us from despair to hope,
From fear to trust,
Lead us from hate to love,
From war to peace,
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our Universe;
Let our words be spoken in truth,
And our hearts show only love.”

So Mote It Be

Loosely based on a prayer found in “The Wicca Life”

Maybe you can find peace in your heart, and share a moment in prayer with me.

Thank you

I am grateful that she is okay.
I am grateful that none of her children were with her
I am grateful that despite this, she and her family are not answering with hatred
I am grateful that I know that there are good people in this world, standing up for what is right.
I am grateful for you.

Claudia

Blog Hops:

Thankful Thursdays

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Battlefield – A Haiku

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Battlefield

Gone long before us,

their silent tears covered fields

patchy blood-soaked grass

*

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

available here 

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The Boot – A Flash Fiction

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Flash Fiction: " The Boot"

“The Boot” Vintage Design by Avalon Media
http://shrsl.com/?~8ptp

“Look what I found!”

Her voice was filled with such sweet excitement, that the older man could not hold back a smile. At one point he had dreaded to bring this young student with him to the site, not looking forward to the lack of knowledge an inexperienced person would surely bring along, but her enthusiasm made up for all of that and more. He reminded her of who he used to be, not too long before her arrival,  hoping to explore those hidden treasures, left by the civilizations before the Great War.

There was so much more to find, but the tedious work had taken his toll on him. So had the grim prospects of finding leftovers that showcased the detailed and widespread cruelty,  humankind had brought upon one another.
Her view was not tainted by such sights, not yet, and he hoped it would never come to that.

“What is it, Natasha?”, he answered, putting as much smile into his voice as its deepness allowed him to display.
“Behind that heavy broken thing you call furniture, I found this.”
She pointed at a faint painting, placed directly upon the aged wall and looked half questioning, half filled with pride.
“I have no idea, why anyone would use such a monstrously looking boot as a vase, yet in it’s strange composition it is quite pleasing, don’t you think?”
He glanced at the surprisingly well-preserved image in front of them and nodded softly. What alight-hearted, pleasing surprise, indeed.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

The above image “The Boot” is available as a framed art print on RedBubble. Thank you for your support.

The Future – A Flash Fiction

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One day, not long from now, when we all have done the deeds that brought us to this point and time, we will be the forgotten ones.
When a war, we could have stopped, swallowed us whole, and the creation of more and more wasteful things, has taken over – the machine rising above men.
It is my sincerest wish, that this day will never come, but as I overlook what was once peaceful skyline of New York, streets burning, buildings crumbling, and people hurting each other over a slice of bread, I know we have already forgotten how to be human.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This post was inspired by this weeks Flash Fiction prompt : “Forgotten”.

Friday Flash – Impulse

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Impulse

Flash Friday Prompt

“Madame! One more pitcher of wine please!”
“Since when have you become a wine drinker, Sam. I thought beer was your thing.”
“Since I know we are going into this damn war. You know we ain’t coming back, so it’s bucket list time.”
“You and you’re stupid bucket list,” Andrew shook his head.
“Hey I got more stuff done this week then I got done for the last 32 years. Only got four things left on that paper, and I am planning on finishing it. Mademoiselle!”
The young, pretty and fast waitress walked over to them, her cleavage enticing the patrons, flirting with them, the tips flowing from the pockets of the US Army personnel as fast as the little notes with phone numbers. She bend over toward him, giving Sam the full on view of her firm breasts.
He took the change.
Squeezing – hard.
Squealing she smacked him, and ran off.
The three other enlisted men around the table busted out laughing.
“What in the hell was that?”
“Number 3 on the list.”, Sam grinned.
He felt another smack on the back of his head, only to look into the dark blue eyes of his Commander. His female Commander.
“Alright stupid. Time to go. All of you. Fun’s over. Time for killing has begun. “

© Claudia H. Blanton 2014

This flash fiction was based on a writing prompt at Friday Flash (the word “war” and the above picture) as well as the Daily Prompt for today “Impulse”.