reading this - and having a thought, I flashed back to when John Lennon mused that God is dead - and you might recall the backlash. My observation is not likely to get a backlash and it's a political statement or 'shot taking' at any party or government, but I am musing that 'democracy is dead'. At the very least, it's not defined as we believed that it was, or how the Greeks did it, but it bears so little reference to what I grew up and was educated to believe. Oh, another thing, I really liked this poem!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the poem, Mark! Isn't it fascinating how our view of democracy has evolved since those idealistic notions we had growing up? I love your perspective and agree that it’s important to take a step back and mull over these changes.
The consequence, for me, of making that statement is the challenge to ask myself - 'What definition of this new way of defining our societies and systems of government can I live with? And then, deciding what I do about it - move across some borderline on a map, stand up for or against it, and the most troubling of all, is 'can I accept it with a passion appropriate for being in love with my country and proud of it to the extent that if I was somewhere else in the world, that I would rush home and take up a weapon to defend it? I believe I would do that for my country, Canada, because it has always been my country. But, would I do that for an adopted country? I wonder about that. I'm amazed by the action of Jews in the diaspora - so many of whom have never been to Israel, who pack their bags to go there in times of trouble - that blows me away. I've met people who've done that - not on a lark, but putting their life on the line. I'm similarly amazed at people who've left places like South Africa, leaving massive fortunes behind ... because they could stomach their government any longer! Cheers, Mark
Two lines made me catch my breath: "Remember when democracy felt like sunshine on your face" and "indifference is just this comfortable pillow for souls too tired to fight." Brilliant, once again. Thank you.
reading this - and having a thought, I flashed back to when John Lennon mused that God is dead - and you might recall the backlash. My observation is not likely to get a backlash and it's a political statement or 'shot taking' at any party or government, but I am musing that 'democracy is dead'. At the very least, it's not defined as we believed that it was, or how the Greeks did it, but it bears so little reference to what I grew up and was educated to believe. Oh, another thing, I really liked this poem!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the poem, Mark! Isn't it fascinating how our view of democracy has evolved since those idealistic notions we had growing up? I love your perspective and agree that it’s important to take a step back and mull over these changes.
The consequence, for me, of making that statement is the challenge to ask myself - 'What definition of this new way of defining our societies and systems of government can I live with? And then, deciding what I do about it - move across some borderline on a map, stand up for or against it, and the most troubling of all, is 'can I accept it with a passion appropriate for being in love with my country and proud of it to the extent that if I was somewhere else in the world, that I would rush home and take up a weapon to defend it? I believe I would do that for my country, Canada, because it has always been my country. But, would I do that for an adopted country? I wonder about that. I'm amazed by the action of Jews in the diaspora - so many of whom have never been to Israel, who pack their bags to go there in times of trouble - that blows me away. I've met people who've done that - not on a lark, but putting their life on the line. I'm similarly amazed at people who've left places like South Africa, leaving massive fortunes behind ... because they could stomach their government any longer! Cheers, Mark
Two lines made me catch my breath: "Remember when democracy felt like sunshine on your face" and "indifference is just this comfortable pillow for souls too tired to fight." Brilliant, once again. Thank you.
Thank you!